STAY POSITIVE

STAY POSITIVE

Guess what?  As much as 77% of everything we think is negative and counterproductive and works against us.  People who grow up in an average household hear “No” or are told what they cannot do more than 148,000 times by the time they reach age 18.  The result: Unintentional negative programming. 

Note to Myself/Yourself: Avoid negativity like the plague.  It’s contagious.

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

YOUR PRICELESS GIFT OF TIME

YOUR PRICELESS GIFT OF TIME

I spotted an intriguing on-line advertisement by the Prudential Insurance Company, entitled “I’ll Do It Later.” Their ad focuses on the lost time and opportunity that results from PROCRASTINATION. It even contains a Procrastination Calculator at http://www.bringyourchallenges.com/ill-do-it-later. This calculator reveals that (on average) someone at my age has spent approximately 5.6 YEARS of their life putting things off until tomorrow, i.e., procrastinating! It really caused me to reflect and think.

What’s even more fascinating is the listing of things I might have achieved. During my theoretical 5.6 years of procrastination, I could have knitted 1.18 sweaters for the gigantic Statue of Liberty (or) I could have taken a 240,000 mile ‘road trip’ to the moon 168 times (or) I could have made and consumed 978,200 cups of tea (or) I could have received 4.5 masters degrees (or) I could have climbed Mt. Everest 389 times (or) I could have painted the Sistine Chapel 1.29 times. Hmmm…

There’s a wise axiom attributed to Edward Young in the 17th century, which warns against the inherent danger in delay. “Procrastination is the thief of time,” Young wrote. Nevertheless, the prayerful insights of the Psalmist David predate that sage saying. King David’s plea to GOD was profoundly simple: “Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

So…what are YOU doing about your dreams, goals and God-given gifts?  Are you in hot pursuit, or are you procrastinating? Could it be possible that you are paralyzed or stuck in ‘Someday Syndrome?’ Consider the fact that cemeteries are the wealthiest plots of potential on Planet Earth.  For within their gates lie multiplied millions of unrealized hopes, undeveloped relationships, unwritten books, undiscovered inventions and unfulfilled dreams!

What are YOU doing to make sure your story does not culminate in incompletion?  Prayerfully gather all of your resources: your will, your knowledge, your experience, your education, your energy, your funds, your grit, your determination, your family and friends…and before the sun sets today, plug into the wisdom of God and start making it happen!

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

HUMILITY BRINGS HONOR

HUMILITY BRINGS HONOR

With so many, humility seems to have become a lost character trait.  I love the commentary of St. Francis de Sales regarding the issue of human pride.  He wrote: “Some men become proud and insolent because they ride a fine horse, wear a bright feather in their hat, or are dressed in a fine suit of clothing. Who does not see the folly of this? If there be any glory in such things, the glory belongs to the horse, the bird and the tailor.”  Hmmm…

My very wise father, the late Bishop Joseph Edison Bass Sr., often quoted a scripture that raises this simple yet thought-provoking question: “What do you have that you did not receive?” (I Corinthians 4:7)  My friends, whatever we achieve or accumulate in life, we should be thankful to those upon whose shoulders we stand; and our ultimate debt of gratitude is to The One who created and endowed us.

In the words of the prophet, Micah, “What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)  Self-centeredness and arrogance are never helpful.  Humility is the way up.

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

NEVER ALLOW ANGER TO CONTROL

NEVER ALLOW ANGER TO CONTROL

Anger is counterproductive whenever it controls you.  However, you can flip the script on anger and allow it to become motivation and energy for productivity.  For example, many years ago during a Knicks-Bullets playoff game, one of the Bullets came up from behind the great Walt Frazier and punched him in the face. Strangely enough, the referee called a foul on Frazier. Frazier didn’t complain, and his expression never changed. He simply called for the ball and put in seven straight shots to win the game – an amazing display of productive anger. It’s a great moral lesson for all of us.  

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

GET OUT OF THE REARVIEW MIRROR

GET OUT OF THE REARVIEW MIRROR

Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe shares the following wise admonition about the tendency of some to live in the past:

“Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ You do not move ahead by constantly looking in a rear view 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.”

Enough said…

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

SOME CHOICES ARE DOWNRIGHT PAINFUL

SOME CHOICES ARE DOWNRIGHT PAINFUL

In Klyne Snodgrass’s book, “Living with Biblical Tensions,” he details an extremely painful dilemma experienced by Winston Churchill during World War II.  He was forced to make a terribly difficult choice. The British secret service had broken the Nazi code and were able to inform Churchill that the Germans were going to bomb Coventry. He had two alternatives: (1) to evacuate the citizens and save hundreds of lives at the expense of letting the German army know that their code had been broken; or (2) to take no action at all, allowing hundreds of British citizens to be killed, but protecting the flow of enemy information that would likely save thousands of lives in the future. Churchill had to make this very challenging choice, and he opted to follow the second course of action.

It's called situation ethics.  For example, in a situation where only the mother OR the young child can be saved from drowning, who should be saved?  There are logical calculations to make on both sides of this life-or-death equation.  When confronted with impossible circumstances, the only feasible course of action is to ask for divine direction. May you and I always be connected to (and comforted by) the wisdom that comes from above.

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

BUILD!

BUILD!

It has been suggested that life boils down to a matter of building choices. Indeed, all of us were born with a divine mandate to build something, whether it be a good reputation, a career, a loving family, solid friendships, personal integrity, or a right relationship with God. But some of those things can evaporate in a flash because of financial losses, natural disasters, unwarranted deception, unforeseen difficulties, or even death.

Daniel Webster offered sage advice on our important life-building project.  He wrote, “If we work on marble, it will perish. If we work on brass, time will effect it. If we rear temples, they will crumble to dust. But if we work on men’s immortal minds, if we imbue them with high principles, with fear of God and love of their fellow-men, we engrave on those tablets something which time cannot efface, and which will brighten and brighten through all eternity.”

Point to Ponder: What are you building, and with what materials?  My friend, build wisely.

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

JUNETEENTH

JUNETEENTH

Today we honor the celebration of Juneteenth, which is now a national holiday in the USA.  Here’s a brief background of its history, courtesy of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

On “Freedom’s Eve,” the eve of January 1, 1863, the first Watch Night services took place. On that night, enslaved and free African Americans gathered in churches and private homes all across America awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. At the stroke of midnight, prayers were answered as all enslaved people in Confederate States were declared legally free. Union soldiers, many of whom were black, marched onto plantations in the south reading copies of the Emancipation Proclamation and spreading the joyous news of freedom in Confederate States.

But not everyone in Confederate territory would immediately be free. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until 2½ years later. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as “Juneteenth” by the newly freed people in Texas. 

Juneteenth marks our nation’s second independence day. Although it has long been celebrated in the African American community, this monumental event remains largely unknown to most Americans.  The historical legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of never giving up hope in uncertain times.

And so it is…

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 when a family member or friend seems to garner all the goodies and perks of life.  It just appears 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, that is, how to express whatever they are feeling 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 necessarily like Army apricots, 40 percent took two dishes and 50 percent took one!  Wow!

If you always seem to be striking out, consider changing 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!

OUR GOD IS GREAT!

OUR GOD IS GREAT!

The universe God created is more immense than we could possibly imagine.  Within the observable universe, it is estimated that there are approximately 200 billion galaxies, each of which contains an average of 100 million stars.  Wow!   Indeed, God’s universe has almost innumerable stars.  If you were to hold out a dime at arm’s length, that small coin would block out 15 million stars from your view, if your eyes could only see with that degree of power.

To help us grasp the vastness of our own galaxy, The Milky Way Galaxy, one scientist suggests we imagine a smooth glass surface.  Shrink the sun from its 865,000 miles in diameter to two feet and place it on the surface.  Using this scale, Earth would be 220 paces out from the sun, and would be the size of a pea.  Mars, the size of a pinhead, would be 108 paces beyond Earth. But to reach Neptune, you'd need to step off another 6,130 paces from Mars.  By now you would be five miles away from the sun, but there still wouldn’t be room on the glass surface for Pluto!  And you would have to pace off 6,720 miles beyond Pluto to reach the nearest star.  Yet, this glass model represents only a tiny, tiny, tiny fraction of the known (and unknown) universe. 

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament[a] shows His handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)

How great is our God!  Clearly, there is no situation that we confront in life that it too large or challenging for Him. (Ephesians 3:20)

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

EMBRACE JOY

EMBRACE JOY

The celebrated author, Leo Buscaglia, tells a story about his parents and what his family later called their “misery dinner.”  It happened on the night when his father came home and announced he would have to go into bankruptcy because his partner had absconded with all of their firm’s funds. Leo’s mother went out right away and sold some jewelry to buy food for a sumptuous family feast. Other members of the family criticized her for it.  But she told them this: “The time for joy is now, when we need it most, not next week.”  Her courageous act rallied her family’s outlook and future.

My friend, joy is transformational, contagious and powerful.

Some years ago, while I was praying and meditating on the Word of God, I received a life-changing revelation about the true meaning of joy.  I learned that joy isn’t happiness, which is conditional and temporary.  Here’s the revelation: Joy is the assurance that CHRIST is at the center of our circumstances.  Therefore, we need not fear, but simply obey the wise command of our Heavenly Father: “Be still…and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)  He always shows up on time.

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

WHAT IS ATTRACTIVENESS?

WHAT IS ATTRACTIVENESS?

Our culture seems to be totally obsessed with notions of beauty.  Television screens are inundated with so-called beauty products, designed and marketed with the allure of possibilities to be more outwardly appealing to ourselves and others.  But do exteriors truly reveal beauty, or is it what’s on the inside that actually counts?

The sage Solomon’s commentary is noteworthy.  In describing the ‘perfect’ woman, Solomon opined, “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.” (Proverbs 31:26)  Although attractiveness is certainly a subjective matter, it seems that the practical wisdom of kindness is one mission critical component.

So, if one truly desires to become more attractive, it is important to realize that beauty is never found in a jar or bottle containing purchased products.  Rather, it is the direct result of one’s attitude and choices on how to engage others.  My friend, if you are sometimes tempted to be a ‘hammer,’ always looking for a ‘nail’ to forcefully drive home, simply try a little kindness. (smile)  I love how Alexander Maclaren frames it: “Kindness makes a person attractive.  If you would win the world, melt it, do not hammer it.”  Indeed, kindness is the irrefutable common denominator of genuine and enduring beauty.  Sample it; you’ll like it!

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

THE QUEST FOR CONSISTENCY

THE QUEST FOR CONSISTENCY

Apparently, Jesus Christ isn’t engaged in a search for superstars, but for sincere and dedicated disciples.  Allow me to share the story of one noteworthy-yet-ordinary athlete by the name of Don Sutton.  His career is described colorfully in Max Lucado’s book, “God Came Near.”

Here’s how Lucado portrays Don Sutton.  “He performed very few extraordinary feats.  Though he was a veteran of 21 seasons, in only one did he win more than 20 games.  He never pitched a no-hitter, and only once did he lead the league in any category at all.  Yet on June 21, 1986, Don Sutton rubbed elbows with the great legends of baseball by becoming the 13th pitcher ever to win 300 games.  His self-analysis of that success is quite revealing.  He called himself a grinder and a mechanic.  ‘I never considered myself flamboyant or exceptional,’ he said.  ‘But all my life I’ve found a way to get the job done.’  And Don Sutton did exactly that.  He got things done.  Through more than two decades, six presidential terms, and four team trades, he simply showed up and did what pitchers are supposed to do: win games.  With tunnel-vision devotion and consistent performance, he redefined greatness.”

Don Sutton’s claim to fame was something quite simple but extraordinary: Stick-to-it-tive-ness.  My friend, it may feel like your accomplishments are modest and minimal in comparison to others, but our God truly treasures faithfulness and consistency.  You may never receive the accolades of the crowd, but you will surely gain the most prominent of commendations if you will only remain steadfast.  For the Word admonishes us, “be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.”  In doing so, we will ultimately hear The Master’s confirming and compassionate voice, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, and I will make you ruler over many things.” (I Corinthians 15:58 – Matthew 25:21)  Just stick to it…that’s all folks!

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

OPPOSITION REVEALS

OPPOSITION REVEALS

In Tim Hansel’s book, “Holy Sweat,” he cites a revealing study published by Victor and Mildred Goertzel.  Their work took a very close look at the lives of 413 famous and exceptionally gifted people.  One common thread ran through the lives of these outstanding people.  All of them had to overcome some of life’s most challenging obstacles. 

Robert Schuller famously remarked, “tough times don’t last; tough people do.”  My friend, your problems, pressures and pains are actual appointments with destiny.

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

BLUEPRINT FOR LIVING

BLUEPRINT FOR LIVING

Let’s not make life overly complicated.  The scriptural admonitions of Solomon and Joshua offer concise summaries of our real responsibilities and rewards.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: FEAR GOD, AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS: for this is THE WHOLE DUTY OF MAN.

Joshua 1:8

THIS BOOK OF THE LAW shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may OBSERVE TO DO according to all that is written in it. For then YOU WILL MAKE YOUR WAY PROSPEROUS, and then YOU WILL HAVE GOOD SUCCESS.

Don’t overthink; just do it.  The Master Architect will skillfully assist you with a detailed blueprint that will support order and secure completion, even in your ‘messy’ construction zone.  Find it in THE BOOK. (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!

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 only one thing) that I should do.  This perspective must be visualized 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 reliable components of the “Sort, Sift, Focus” process.  They enable us to follow our Creator’s wise mandate: “Be still…and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)  In truth, any barriers or errors we encounter are actually restraints or reminders of our pressing need to do so.  Sort, Sift, Focus!  Sort through the tasks; sift out the excess; focus on the target assignment. 

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

YOU ARE INFLUENTIAL

YOU ARE INFLUENTIAL

Whether you are consciously aware of it or not, your life is absolutely influential.  Others are constantly observing, taking mental notes of whatever you say and do.  And some of them are taking cues from you in determining their own courses of action.  Live intentionally.  Live right.  You may never know the extent to which your life has impact on others.  The following poetic prayer from an unknown author is a worthwhile aim for all of us.

My life shall touch a dozen lives before this day is done;

Leave countless marks for good or ill, ere sets the evening sun.

This is the wish I always wish, the prayer I always pray:

Lord, may my life help other lives it touches on the way.

Amen.

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

GOD IS SOVEREIGN; YOU AIN'T!

GOD IS SOVERIGN; YOU AIN’T!

Despite our brilliance, ingenuity and phenomenal accomplishments, humankind owes its continual existence to a six-inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it occasionally rains.  Indeed.  And God is the indisputable designer of both of these benefits, not us.  I’m fully aware that today’s devotional topic contains grammatically flawed English, but it is absolutely accurate and essential theology.  Trust our Creator.

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

THE POWER OF PREJUDICE

THE POWER OF PREJUDICE

E. Griffin cites an intriguing study in his book, “The Mindchangers,” detailing how prejudice distorts our worldview.  According to Griffin, we're quite capable of reordering our perceptions of the world around us in order to maintain our conviction that we are right and others are wrong.  A group of white, middle-class New York City residents was presented with a picture of people on a subway.  Two men were in the foreground.  One was white and one was black.  One wore a business suit and one was clothed in workman’s overalls.  One was surrendering his money to the other person who was threatening him with a knife.  

Actually, it was the black man who wore the suit, and he was being robbed by the white laborer.  But such a picture did not square with the prejudices of the viewers.  To them, white men were executives; black men were blue collar workers.  Blacks were the robbers, whites the victims.  And so they reported what their minds told them they were seeing--a black laborer assaulting a white businessman.  As human beings who desperately desire our lives to be consistent and untroubled, we will go to great lengths to reject something that implies we’re wrong. 

Indeed, prejudice is unjust, cruel and unbecoming.  Let’s rise above cultural myths and discipline ourselves to see people as they really are.

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