UNTHANKFULNESS

UNTHANKFULNESS

 Ingratitude is actually a picture of immaturity.  For example, infants do not always appreciate what parents do for them.  They have short memories.  Their concern is not what you did yesterday, but what are you doing today?  For them, the past is meaningless and so is the future.  They live for the moment.

 On the other hand, those who are mature are deeply appreciative of the attention and labor of others.  I read a legal article that critiqued the clients of Samuel Leibowitz, a criminal lawyer and judge who saved 78 men from the electric chair.  Not one of them ever bothered to thank him.  Wow!

 Our Savior, Jesus Christ, had a similar experience, as recorded in Luke 17:12-18…

 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off: and they lifted up their voices, and said, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.’  And when he saw them, he said unto them, ‘Go shew yourselves unto the priests.’  And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.  And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.  And Jesus answering said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed?  But where are the nine?  There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.’

 Throughout life, remember this: The giving of thanks invariably makes room for more.

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

WISDOM

WISDOM

 Doug Larson’s understanding of wisdom really speaks to me.  He writes, “Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you would have preferred to talk.”

 Wow!  If that ain’t truth, I’ll pay ya!

 Of course, we can find eternal wisdom in the Word of God, but it’s also available in a multiplicity of persons and places.  My friend, pay attention to your novel insights and ideas.  According to Solomon, “wisdom dwells with prudence and…knowledge of witty inventions.” (Proverbs 8:12)  I’ve discovered in life that you don't have to be listed in ‘Who’s Who’ to know what’s what!  So be keenly aware of your unique gifts and true value.

 Automaker Henry Ford asked an electrical genius named Charlie Steinmetz to build generators for his factory.  One day the generators broke down, and Ford’s repairmen could neither identify or solve the problem.  So Ford called Steinmetz, who tinkered with the machines for just a few hours.  When he threw the switch, those generators whirred to life – and Ford received a rather large bill from Steinmetz, for $10,000.  Flabbergasted, the tightfisted car manufacturer inquired why the charge was so high.  Steinmetz's reply: “For tinkering with the  generators, $10. For knowing where to tinker, $9,990.”  Henry Ford paid the bill.

 Wisdom comes from above. (James 1:17 and 3:17)  But it is developed and implemented on earth –  creatively cultivated by those who know precisely how and where to apply it.

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

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME

DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME

 How would you like to spend two years making phone calls to people who aren't home?  Sound absurd?  According to one time management study, that’s how much time the average person spends trying to return calls to people who never seem to be available.  Not only that, we spend six months waiting for traffic lights to turn green, and another eight months reading junk mail.  These striking statistics should motivate us to do personal time-use evaluations. Once we recognize the fact that simple things in life can chip away at our time in such huge blocks, we will see how vital it is that we don’t just busy ourselves “in vain.” (Psalm 39:6)

 Psalm 39 offers important perspectives on our time.  In David’s conversation with God, he states, “You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You.” (Verse 5)  David meant that our time on earth is far less than brief to an eternal God.  So God never wants us to waste it.  When we do, we throw away one of the most precious commodities Heaven affords.  Each minute is an irretrievable gift, an unredeemable slice of eternity.  Yes, we have to make those phone calls.  Yes, we must wait at those traffic lights.  But what about the rest of our time?  Are we using it to advance the cause of Christ and to enhance our relationships with Him?  

 Check out another time insight by David: “The days of our years are threescore years and ten [70 years or just 25,550 day]; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.  So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalm 90:10,12)

 Time is the Father’s greatest temporal investment in us.  Bottom-line: Is our time well spent?  And are we providing our Creator a reasonable R.O.I. [Return On Investment]?  Prayerfully ponder.

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

NAVIGATING YOUR PAST

NAVIGATING YOUR PAST

 This morning I revisited an interesting conversation between friends:

 “Say, you look very depressed.  What are you thinking about?”

“My future,” was the quick answer.

“What makes it look so hopeless?”

“My past.”

 Pastor and author, Warren Wiersbe, advises us to avoid questioning why earlier days seem better than those we are presently experiencing.  He writes, “You do not move ahead by constantly looking in a rearview mirror.  The past is a rudder to guide you, not an anchor to drag you.  We must learn from the past but not live in the past.”

 In the Apostle Paul’s words: “…one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

 Let it go.

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

ABUNDANT AND AMAZING GRACE

Abundant and Amazing Grace

 In Brennan Manning’s book entitled, “The Ragamuffin Gospel,” he relates a story about Fiorello LaGuardia.  Yes, he’s the man in whose honor they named that famous airport.  When Fiorello LaGuardia was mayor of New York City during the worst of the Great Depression, he was adoringly labeled ‘The Little Flower’ by New Yorkers because he was only five-foot-four and because he always wore a carnation in his lapel.  He was a colorful character who used to ride along in the city’s fire trucks, or raid speakeasies with the police during Prohibition, or take entire orphanages to baseball games.  And whenever the New York newspapers went on strike, he would go on the radio and read the Sunday newspaper comics for kids.

 One bitterly cold night in January of 1935, Mayor LaGuardia turned up at a night court that served the poorest ward of the city.  The mayor dismissed the judge for the evening and presided over the court himself.  Within a few minutes, a poor old woman was brought before him, charged with stealing a loaf of bread.  She told LaGuardia that her daughter’s husband had deserted them, her daughter was now sick, and her two grandchildren were starving.  But the shopkeeper from whom the bread was stolen was in the court and refused to drop the charges.  “It's a real bad neighborhood, your Honor,” the man told the mayor.  “She’s got to be punished to teach other people around here a lesson.”  

 LaGuardia just sighed.  He turned to the woman and said “I’ve got to punish you.  The law makes no exceptions--ten dollars or ten days in jail.”  But even as he pronounced sentence, the mayor was already reaching into his pocket.  He extracted a bill and tossed it into his famous sombrero saying: “Here is the ten dollar fine which I now remit in your name.  And furthermore I’m going to fine everyone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so her grandchildren can eat.  Baliff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant!”  The following day New York newspapers reported that $47.50 was turned over to a bewildered lady who had stolen a loaf of bread to feed her starving grandchildren, with fifty cents of that amount being contributed by the red-faced grocery store owner, along with seventy petty criminals, people with traffic violations, and several New York policemen, each of whom had just paid fifty cents but gave the mayor a standing ovation.  My friends, that’s grace!

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

EDIFY...BUILD OTHERS WITH WISDOM!

EDIFY…BUILD OTHERS WITH WISDOM!

 It is imperative that we infuse wisdom into any attempt to spiritually assist or counsel others.  Richard Dunigan relates a cautionary tale regarding our exercise of good intentions without knowledge.  His children won four goldfish at the school carnival, so he set off Saturday morning to find an aquarium.  The first few he spotted ranged in price from $40 to $70.  Too expensive.  But then he found a discarded 10-gallon display tank, complete with gravel and filter, on sale for a mere five bucks.  Sold!  Of course, the tank was quite filthy, but the savings made the one-hour clean-up well worth it.

 Those four fish were a welcome family addition and they looked great in their new home, at least for the first day.  But by Sunday one had died.  Too bad, the father mused, but three remained.  Monday morning revealed a second casualty, and by Monday night a third goldfish had gone belly up.  Then Dad called in an expert, a member of their church who owned a 30-gallon fish tank.  He quickly discovered the problem.  They had cleaned the tank with soap, which is an absolute no-no.  Well-intentioned but uninformed effort had destroyed the very lives they wanted to protect and enjoy.

 Lesson learned.  In our zeal to clean up the lives of others, we sometimes mistakenly use the ‘killer soaps’ of condemnation, criticism, impatience, or irritability.  Our hearts might be in the right place, so we assume that we’re actually doing the Lord’s work, but any uncompassionate, self-righteous, or careless words might be more than others can bear.

 My friend, before opening mouth, always engage brain.  Even more importantly, tune in prayerfully to the wisdom, compassion and moderation that are the very heart and hope of God’s Word.

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

FILTERING MY WORDS THROUGH HIS

FILTERING MY WORDS THROUGH HIS

I have Old and New Testament life-verses, both of which focus my spiritual journey.  Today I’ll cite the first of these, Psalm 19:14.  It’s a heartfelt petition to our Savior: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  David’s sincere prayer serves as a reliable spiritual compass along life’s journey.

 Psalm 19:14 also calls to mind the creative admonishments of Frank Outlaw:

Watch your thoughts; they become words.                                                                                      

Watch your words; they become actions.                                                                                        

Watch your actions; they become habits.                                                                                        

Watch your habits; they become character.                                                                                    

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

 My friend, it’s a bountiful blessing when you allow the mind of the Master to be the master of your mind.  Why?  Because God’s Word is immutable; it never changes and never fails.

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

HUMILITY IS A DOOR OPENER

HUMILITY IS A DOOR OPENER

 It seems that God delights in honoring and exalting selfless people.  Booker T. Washington, the renowned black educator, was an outstanding example of humility.  After he became president of Tuskegee Institute, he was walking through an exclusive section of town when he was stopped by a wealthy white woman.   Not knowing Washington by sight, she asked if he would like to earn a few dollars by chopping wood.  Because he had no pressing business at the moment, Washington smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and proceeded to do the humble chore she had requested.  When he finished, he carried the logs into the house and stacked them neatly by the fireplace.  A little girl recognized him and later revealed his identity to the lady. 

 The next morning, the embarrassed woman went to see Washington in his office at the Institute and apologized profusely.  “It's perfectly all right, Madam,” he replied.  “Occasionally I enjoy a little manual labor.  Besides, it’s always a delight to do something for a friend.”  She shook his hand warmly and assured him that his meek and gracious attitude had endeared him and his work to her heart.  Not long afterward she showed her admiration by persuading some wealthy acquaintances to join her in donating thousands of dollars to Tuskegee Institute.

 The next time you’re tempted to feel larger than life, try taking the humble road instead.  You see, our “God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.” (I Peter 5:5)

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

THE SUFFICIENCY OF GOD'S GRACE

THE SUFFICIENCY OF GOD’S GRACE

 The British writer and lay theologian, C. S. Lewis, penned these memorable words: “He who has God and many other things has no more than he who has God alone.”  Amen, Brother Lewis, Amen!

 A beloved praise chorus echoes the faith-filled Lewis perspective: “Jehovah-Jireh, my Provider – You are more than enough for me.  Jehovah-Rapha, You’re my Healer – by Your stripes, I’ve been set free.  Jehovah-Shammah, You are with me – to supply all my need.  You are more than enough, more than enough, more than enough for me.”

 My friend, no matter what you are presently experiencing, meditate prayerfully on God’s response to Paul’s repeated prayers for an undisclosed situation that he described as a thorn in the flesh: “My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (II Corinthians 12:9)

 Whether it seems apparent at this moment, or not, Christ is all.  His presence and power are far more than sufficient for any circumstances that confront you and me.  Therefore, we will “let the peace of God rule in our hearts…and be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)

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

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE ANYONE

Never Underestimate Anyone

 Today, I read a true story that carries a very substantive lesson, the sage admonition that we should never underestimate the value or potential of others. 

 In 1884, a beloved boy of 16 succumbed to typhoid fever, and his grieving parents decided to establish a memorial to him.  With that in mind, they met with Charles Eliot, president of Harvard University.  Eliot received the unpretentious couple into his office and asked what he could do.  After they expressed their desire to fund a memorial, Eliot impatiently said, “Perhaps you have in mind a scholarship.”  But they replied, “No, we’re thinking of something more substantial than that – perhaps a building.”  In a rather patronizing tone, Eliot brushed aside their idea as being much too expensive.  Feeling disappointed, the couple departed.  

 In the following year, Eliot learned that this plain-looking pair had gone elsewhere to establish a 26-million-dollar memorial named in honor of their departed son.  It was the initial endowment for the Leland Stanford Junior University, which today is better known as the prestigious Stanford University!

 One never knows who will somehow intersect your life, and just how much they could bring to the table of your future.  So never look down on anyone’s possibilities.

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

THE UNREPENTANT WILL NOT ESCAPE JUDGMENT

THE UNREPENTANT WILL NOT ESCAPE JUDGMENT

 In November of 1975, 75 inmates secretly started digging a tunnel that was intended to bring them up at the other side of the wall of Saltillo Prison in northern Mexico.  On April 18, 1976, they made a fateful error by completing their tunnel into the nearby courtroom in which most of them had been sentenced.  The surprised judge forthwith returned all 75 to jail. 

 Lately, Satan is busy mobilizing many to dig ‘false tunnels,’ that is, they are spreading the lie that a loving God would not judge sinners for the willful refusal to accept Christ’s atoning sacrifice and to follow His Word.  Although God is indeed merciful (beyond our ability to comprehend), His justice requires that all be accountable for stubborn persistence in a life that dishonors ourselves and our Creator.  In the words of the Apostle Paul, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (II Corinthians 5:10) 

 My friend, are you ready?  Are you sure?  If not, please fall to your knees and surrender to Him right now.  Ask the Savior to come into your heart and be Lord of your life.  Repeat this simple prayer: “Father, I confess that I am a sinner, and I need You in my life.  I believe that Christ died for my sins on the cross of Calvary.  And I believe that He rose from the dead.  Jesus, come into my heart.  Be the Lord of my life.  I receive You as my Savior, and I will follow You for the rest of my days.  Amen.”

 If you are sincere about this, you are now a new-born believer, a brand-new creation in Christ.  And if you are uncertain about what to do next, feel free to inbox me.  And make sure that you are connected to other faithful believers in a full gospel church.  Pray.  Read God’s Word.  And hang in there while the Holy Spirit works to complete everything that He has started. (Philippians 1:6)

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

CHRIST JUSTIFIES SINNERS

CHRIST JUSTIFIES SINNERS

 Dr. Roy Gustafson describes a profound illustration of the doctrine of justification.  While a man from England was traveling around Europe, something happened to the engine of his Rolls-Royce.  He cabled the company back home to say, “I’m having trouble with my car; what do you suggest I do?”  

 The Rolls-Royce people flew a mechanic to where he had been stranded.  The mechanic repaired the car and flew back to England, leaving the man to continue his holiday.  As you can imagine, he was wondering, “How much is this going to cost me?”  So when he returned home, he wrote a letter and asked how much he owed.  He received a response from the office that read: “Dear Sir: There is no record anywhere in our files that anything ever went wrong with a Rolls-Royce!”

 My friends, that is a wonderful picture of New Testament justification.  God calls us unworthy sinners away from ourselves to encounter the transforming power of Jesus Christ.  It’s not that we had no issues or sins, but after we have been redeemed by the Savior’s atoning blood, it’s just-as-if we had never committed any sins at all.  Thereafter, God’s view of us is summed up in one scripture verse: “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:17)  Hallelujah, what a Savior!

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

SOUND THE ALARM!

SOUND THE ALARM!

 Because of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, everyone has heard of “the midnight ride of Paul Revere.”  However, few have heard of Israel Bissel, a dedicated post rider on the Boston-New York route. 

 On April 19, 1775, after the Battle of Lexington and Concord, Bissel was dispatched to raise the alarm of British troops marching to New Haven, Connecticut.  He arrived in Worchester, Massachusetts (normally a day’s ride) in just a few hours.  There, according to tradition, his exhausted horse dropped dead.  Pausing only to get another mount, Bissel pressed on and reached New Haven by April 22.  But he didn’t stop there.  He rode to New York, arriving on April 24, and kept going until he reached Philadelphia the following day.  Bissel's 126-hour, 345-mile ride singlehandedly signaled American militia throughout the Northeast to mobilize for war. 

 Question:  Do we contemporary Christian disciples have a similar, sufficient level of courage (and diligence) to sound the alarm regarding Christ’s imminent return.   Make no mistake; HE is coming soon!

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

THE FATHER'S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

THE FATHER’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

The Talmud, an ancient Jewish text containing civil and ceremonial law, relates the familiar story of a wayward son who left home and disgraced himself.  His loving and forgiving father sent a merciful message asking him to come home.  The son’s response was simply this: “I cannot.”  But the father exemplified genuine grace.  He replied, “Come as far as you can, and I will meet you.”

It’s the familiar echo of our Heavenly Father’s call and response to every prodigal.  According to the teachings of Jesus Christ, “He arose, and came to his father.  But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)

God’s grace has encountered all of us on diverse paths of sin and shame.  His love met us, accepted us, forgave us, cleansed us, and welcomed us back home.  What a mighty and merciful 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!

INFLUENCE

INFLUENCE

 We were created to be seed-sowers.  It is our foundational task in every arena of life.  Of course, Christ is “Lord of the harvest.” (Matthew 9:38)  So leave the results to Him.  Ironically, during this life, we may not clearly discern the transformative influences of our “salt” and “light.” (Matthew 5:13-14)  It’s one of the many things that makes this journey a faith venture.

 The powerful lyrics of a Winans song affirm this truth:

For we may never know
All the people we have touched;
For we may never know
All the lives that we have reached;
But we know You know – for a record You do keep
And when the end does finally begin,

We will receive a great reward for what we've done.

 Keep on keeping on.  HE knows your name.  Your Kingdom influence will be rewarded.

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

BE STILL

BE STILL

 These days, it’s rather easy to be carried away by a troubled and restless spirit.  After all, our world is full of situations that breed anxiety and worry.  We must be still.

 Consider the curious story of Larry Walters, a 33-year-old man who decided he wanted to see his neighborhood from a new perspective.  He went to the army surplus store and bought forty-five used weather balloons.  Then he strapped himself to a lawn chair while several of his friends attached the helium-filled balloons.  Larry took along a six-pack of beer, a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich and a BB gun, figuring he would shoot the balloons one at a time when he wanted to land.

Larry wrongly assumed that the balloons would lift him about 100 feet in the air, and was totally shocked when his chair soared more than 11,000 feet into the sky – smack dab in the middle of the air traffic pattern at Los Angeles International Airport.  Too frightened to shoot any of the balloons, he stayed airborne for more than two hours, which forced the airport to shut down its runways and caused lengthy flight delays across the country.

 Soon after he landed and was cited by the authorities, reporters asked him three questions:

“Were you scared?”

“Yes.”

“Would you do it again?”

“No.”

“Why did you do it?”

“Because,” he said, “you can’t just sit there.”

 Wow!

 During the past year, Belinda and I struggled with major anxiety over custody issues involving our granddaughter.  But in the middle of our stress, we sensed the still, small, inner-voice of the Lord, which restored our confidence and peace: “Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted…” (Psalm 46:10)  Our hope is no longer focused on any person or institution, but solely on God.

 My friends, don’t stress.  Believe His Word.  Jesus never fails.

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

HOW YOU SAY IT IMPACTS RESULTS

HOW YOU SAY IT IMPACTS RESULTS

 Some scratch their heads in wonder as a familiar friend seems to garner all the goodies and perks of life.  It just seems that they have favor with every person they meet, no matter who, no matter what.  But a closer and more objective observation would reveal that they actually know how to frame things, i.e. how to say whatever they are saying in more positive and productive ways.

 Consider this.  A young psychology student serving in the Army decided to test this theory.  Drawing kitchen duty, he was given the job of passing out apricots at the end of the chow line.  He asked the first few soldiers that came by, “You don’t want any apricots, do you?”  Ninety percent said “No.”  Then he tried a more positive approach: “You do want apricots, don’t you?”  About half answered, “Uh, yeah.  I’ll take some.”  Then he tried a third test, based on assuming their consent, sort of a faith technique.  This time he asked, “One dish of apricots, or two?”  And in spite of the fact that soldiers don’t really like Army apricots, 40 percent took two dishes and 50 percent took one! 

 If you always seem to be striking out, change how you approach others and the way you communicate your ideas.  Positive trumps negative, each and every time.

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

TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK

TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK

 We are infinitely better off when working in concert with one another.  It’s a common practice in nature.  For instance, bees reflect incredible teamwork.  On hot summer days, half of the hive’s bees remain inside beating their wings while the others gather pollen and nectar outside.  Because of the beating wings, their hive temperature is about 10 degrees cooler than outside.  Interestingly enough, bees rotate these duties, i.e. those that cool the hive one day are honey gatherers the next. 

 Let’s ‘bee’ sensible…to maximize comfort and success.

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

AVOID BURN-OUT

AVOID BURN-OUT

Stress kills.  The cemetery is replete with remains of those who underestimated its deadly danger.  I read a related article in the January 7, 1993, edition of “Bits & Pieces.”  It lists the implicit rules of the “Coronary and Ulcer Club.”  For your health’s sake, pay really close attention:

 

1.       Your job comes first.  Forget everything else.

2.       Saturdays, Sundays and holidays are fine times to be working at the office.  No one else will be there to bother you.

3.       Never say “no” to a request.  Always say “yes.”

4.       Accept all invitations to meetings, events, committees, etc.

5.       Any form of recreation is a waste of time.

6.       Never delegate responsibility to others; carry the entire load yourself.

7.       If your work calls for traveling, work all day and travel at night to keep the appointment you made for eight the next morning.

8.       No matter how many jobs you are already doing, you can handle one more. 

My friend, imagine a wick that is placed in an oil lamp, and then lit.  Should the oil run out, the wick will completely burn itself out.  As long as there is oil, that doesn’t happen.  Lesson learned.  Just as long as we are living in dependence on the oil of the Holy Spirit, we won't burn out.  The question all of us should seriously ask ourselves: ‘What is the source of our life-smoke, i.e. what's burning and why?’

Just ‘chill out’ for a few moments.  Be sure to take care of yourself, or the next funeral you attend could be your own.

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

THE GIVER OF EVERY GIFT

THE GIVER OF EVERY GIFT

 Today, I read a comment attributed to an unknown author that immediately captured my attention: “Man, despite his artistic pretensions, his sophistication and many accomplishments, owes the fact of his existence to a six-inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains.”  Truth.

 Unquestionably, without vegetation, famine and desolation would overwhelm our world.  And it’s all attributable to the overflowing blessing and bounty of the Creator of all.  When we realize our utter dependence on Him, we can do nothing but offer sincere gratitude to the Source and Strength of our lives.  In the words of the Apostle James, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

 My friend, aren’t you thankful for the providence and provision of 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!

NEVER QUIT!

NEVER QUIT!

 Easy success without failure suggests the likelihood that you simply haven’t tried enough. 

 Automobile genius Henry Ford came up with a revolutionary plan for a new kind of engine which we know today as the V-8.  Ford was eager to get his innovative idea into production.  He had some men draw up the plans, and presented them to the engineers.  As the engineers studied the drawings, one by one they came to the same conclusion.  Their visionary boss just didn't know much about the fundamental principles of engineering.  He'd have to be told gently that his dream was impossible.  

 Ford said, “Produce it anyway.”  They replied, “But it's impossible!”  But Ford insisted, “Go ahead, and stay on the job until you succeed, no matter how much time is required.”  For six months they struggled with drawing after drawing, design after design.  Nothing.  Another six months.  Nothing.  At the end of the year Ford checked back with his engineers and once again they told him that what he wanted was impossible.  Ford told them to keep going.  They did.  And guess what?  They discovered how to build a V-8 engine.

 My friend, keep trying…

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

Take Your Burden to the Lord

TAKE YOUR BURDEN TO THE LORD

 My home church loved a hymn that reflected Christ’s admonition recorded in Matthew 11:28.  “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  In other words, just as the hymn lyrics suggest, “Take your burden to the Lord…and leave it there.”

 All too often, we Christians conceive of ourselves as fully capable of carrying challenges and cares that Christ is graciously willing to assume.  Thus, the Apostle Peter taught that disciples should be found “casting all your care upon Him [on Christ]; for He cares for you.” (I Peter 5:7)  Unfortunately, we tend to retain burdens (partially or completely), or to retrieve them once they are allegedly offered at the throne of grace.

 It’s a common and troublesome error.  Consider a parable put forth by a pastor in the Philippines; it illustrates Christ’s offer of rest versus the response of people who find it hard to trust completely.  “The driver of a wagon was on his way to market when he overtook an old man carrying a heavy load.  Taking compassion on him, the driver invited the man to ride in his wagon.  Quite gratefully, the old man accepted.  After a few minutes, the driver turned to see how that man was faring.  Much to his surprise, he noticed that the laborer was still straining under the heavy weight, for he had not removed the burden from his shoulders.”  Honestly, isn’t that a picture of our occasional behavior?  Admittedly, there have been moments when my actions precisely echoed those of that man.

 My friend, prayer and worry should not simultaneously accompany your life-journey.  Remember: God’s grace is sufficient.  So take your burden to the Lord…and leave it there.

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