LIFE PERSPECTIVE

LIFE PERSPECTIVE

Things are seldom as bad as they seem, and never as bad as they could be.  Consider this interesting letter, written by a college student to her parents.

Dear Mom and Dad,

It has been three months since I left for college.  I have been remiss in writing, and I am very sorry for my thoughtlessness in not having written before.  I will bring you up to date now.  But before you read on, please sit down.  You are not to read any further unless you are sitting down.  Okay?

Well then, I am getting along pretty well at this point.  The skull fracture and the concussion I got when I jumped out of the window of my dormitory when it caught fire shortly after my arrival are pretty well healed.  I only spent two weeks in the hospital, and now I can see almost normally and only get those sick headaches once or twice a day.

Fortunately, my dormitory fire and jump out the window were witnessed by an attendant at a nearby gas station.  He was the one who called the Fire Department and ambulance.  He also visited me at the hospital.  Since I had nowhere to live because of the burnt out dormitory, he was kind enough to invite me to share his apartment.  It’s really a basement room, but it’s kind of cute.  He is a very fine boy.  We have fallen deeply in love and are planning to get married.  We haven’t set the exact date yet, but it will definitely be before my pregnancy begins to show.

Yes, Mom and Dad, your only daughter is pregnant.  I know how much you were looking forward to being grandparents, and I know you will welcome the baby and give it the same love and devotion you gave to me as a child.

One more thing.  The reason for the delay in our wedding date is that Michael has some very large debts from three previous marriages that need to be worked off before we can afford to get married.

So now that I have brought you up to date, Mom and Dad, I want to tell you that 1) there was no dormitory fire, 2) I did not get a concussion or a skull fracture, 3) I was not in the hospital, 4) I am not pregnant, 5) I am not engaged, and 6) there is no man in my life.  HOWEVER, I am getting a “D” in History and an “F” in Chemistry, and I wanted you to see these poor marks in the PROPER PERSPECTIVE.

Your loving daughter,

Edna

Although this story seems over-the-top and perhaps somewhat humorous, there is an important lesson here.  My friend, stop stressing so much and believing so strongly that you are experiencing the worst of times – with no future prospects for tangible improvement and divine blessing.  Gain perspective, and don’t drink the ANXIETY KOOL-AID!  FEAR NOT!  F.E.A.R. is merely False Evidence Appearing Real.  Remember: God’s got your back.  So why not smile and enter into THE FAITH ZONE?

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

WOOING AND WINNING US

WOOING AND WINNING US

The influential Danish theologian, Soren Kierkegaard, penned a simple story that aptly describes the amazing grace of God.

Once upon a time, there was a very rich but somewhat unhappy king, unfulfilled because he lived all alone in a gorgeous but empty palace.  How he longed so deeply for a wife with whom he would share his life.

One day the king spied the most striking beauty ever, walking through the streets of her city.  Royal enquiries revealed the fact that she was merely a peasant girl, but the king’s heart had been completely captivated.  He made up his mind to ride past her house every day, hoping to catch just a glimpse of his true love.

The king had a logistical problem that loomed large.  How would he ever win her love?  Of course, he could draw up a royal decree commanding her to appear at the palace and become his queen.  But then he would never be sure he had won her love, for she would be required by law to comply with his royal decree.

Perhaps he could call on her and try to win her over, appearing in all his regal glory and sweeping her off her feet.  But under these circumstances, he would never be sure whether she had married him only because of his great power and riches.

Ultimately, he came upon the perfect plan.  He would enter the life of his beloved as an ordinary peasant. That would be the only sure and practical way to positively win her love.  

So the king abandoned his palace.  He left his riches and creature comforts behind to don peasant’s clothing and to embrace the living conditions of his people.  He made the sacrificial decision to live among the peasants, to work with them, to share their sufferings, to participate in their feasts – until he would woo and win the heart of the woman who had so completely captured his own.

And so it is with our God.  Jesus Christ became one of us, lived among us, worked among us, suffered along with us and greatly honored us by way of his loving presence and purposefully muted glory.  All of this was done to win our hearts.  And now, we have become the beautiful bride of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 25:1 – Revelation 21:9)  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!

WHY THINGS ARE BOUND TO GET BETTER

WHY THINGS ARE BOUND TO GET BETTER

Believers have a sure, steadfast, covenant relationship with God.  As long as WE are faithful to our part of this spiritual contract, THE LORD is legally obligated to honor and perform His Word.

Here is scriptural evidence for your coming life-improvement:

YOUR FUTURE IS GUARANTEED TO BE BRIGHTER.

“The path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.” (Proverbs 4:18)

GOD HONORS AND UPHOLDS HIS WORD.

“Then said the Lord unto me, You have seen well and I am ready to perform My word.” (Jeremiah 1:12)

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)

GOD HEARS AND ANSWERS PRAYERS.

“It shall come pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.”

GOD CANNOT LIE OR FAIL.

“In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word…” (Titus 1:2-3)

 “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

GOD HAS A PLAN TO RELEASE YOUR BLESSING.

“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)

GOD HAS A TIMETABLE TO RELEASE YOUR BLESSING.

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it shall speak, and it will not lie.  Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” (Habakkuk 2:3)

GOD HAS A WAY TO POSITION YOU FOR DIVINE BLESSING.

“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.” (Joshua 1:8)

Bottom-line: THINGS WILL GET BETTER – SIMPLY BECAUSE GOD SAYS SO! 

My friend, whose report do you believe – that which was crafted by ‘the father of lies’ or that which is certified by THE ONE who is “the way, the truth and the life?” (John 8:44 – John 14:6)

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

THE LORD OF HOSTS

THE LORD OF HOSTS

There are 270 biblical passages that make reference to “THE LORD OF HOSTS.”  My favorite is Psalm 46:7, which states “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”  This simply means that the hosts of Heaven, i.e. all angelic forces, are constantly present to protect and preserve the covenant promises which God has bountifully bestowed upon every believer.

There is no doubt about this.

David offers us confirmation in Psalm 103:20, “Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.”  Also, David attests to the presence and power of our angels in Psalm 34:7. “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.”

Over the years, I have read numerous inspirational accounts of angelic hosts intervening proactively and positively in the lives of believers.  Allow me to share one of them.

Billy Graham wrote a book entitled “Angels: God’s Secret Agents.”  He recounts the amazing testimony of John Paton, who served as a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands.  One night, tribal warriors surrounded their mission headquarters, intending to burn the Paton family out and to kill them.  John Paton and his wife were terrified, praying all night that God would save them.  Daylight brought great joy as they watched the warriors leaving without an attack.

One year later, the chief of the tribe became a Christian.  During the course of their conversations, John Paton asked the chief about that terrifying night when their lives were in danger.  He wanted to know what had kept the warriors from burning down the house and killing them.

The chief asked, “Who were all those men you had with you?”  Paton replied, “There was no one here other than my wife and I.”

The chief told Paton that he and his warriors had seen hundreds of men standing guard around the mission headquarters, men with shining clothes holding drawn swords.

What a MIGHTY GOD we serve!

So never stress about attacks that are leveled against you.  GOD says, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn.  This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me, says the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17)

Remember this: As a KINGDOM KID, you are always under DIVINE PROTECTION.

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

THE CHURCH'S TREASURE

THE CHURCH’S TREASURE

Before being canonized as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church, Lawrence was a deacon serving in Rome. When a wave of violent persecution broke out, Pope Sixtus and others were killed.  Lawrence knew it was only a matter of time before they would come for him.  As keeper of the church’s goods, he was responsible for giving alms to the poor.  At that point, he started distributing them more generously than ever.

It wasn’t very long before Lawrence was summoned by government officials who demanded that he surrender the church’s treasure.  He replied that the church was quite rich and requested three days to get everything in order.

When Roman officials arrived at his church, they expected it to be filled with silver and gold.  Instead, it was packed with the poor, the blind, the lame and the lepers.  “Here are the treasures of the church,” declared Lawrence with spiritual authority.  As you might expect, the officials were furious and Lawrence was summarily executed in the year 258 A.D.

What a courageous and wise man!  Lawrence was absolutely right about the treasures of the church.  As the Body of Christ, we have significance and value that transcends mere economics and social standing. 

It goes without saying that the greatest treasure of the church is THE HOLY SPIRIT. (II Corinthians 4:7) Nevertheless, since HE dwells within us and grants us the privilege of serving as His ‘hands and feet’ within the earth realm, we, by extension and proximity, are true treasures indeed.

My friend, who will you treasure and touch today, on behalf of your Creator?

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

DECLARE THE GOSPEL EVERYWHERE!

DECLARE THE GOSPEL EVERYWHERE!

In modern society, where hype often looms larger than truth, one can easily become ‘spiritually jaded’ and buy into a worldview which suggests that your spiritual voice is far too inconsequential to be heard.

Fact is, the Creator gave you a distinctive mission and a unique message that the world (aware or not) urgently needs to experience and explore.  You matter. 

Let’s prayerfully consider an instructive allegory:

“Tell me the weight of a snowflake,” the dove required of the mouse.

“Nothing more than nothing,” was his dismissive answer.

“Since that is your belief, I must share my story,” the dove replied excitedly.

“One winter day, I was perched on the branch of an evergreen when it began to snow – not heavily, not a raging blizzard – but descending ever so gracefully without wind or sound.  Since I had nothing better to do, I counted the snowflakes settling on the twigs and needles of my branch.  The number that fell that day was 3,741,952.  But when snowflake number 3,741,953 dropped onto my branch, weighing ‘nothing more than nothing’ as you say, the branch immediately broke.”

“Perhaps,” concluded the dove, “one tiny voice can change the whole world.”

Years ago, my brother, Bishop Edwin Bass, penned a book entitled, “I Won’t Be Silent Anymore.”  I stand in wholehearted agreement with his title thesis.  Sisters and brothers, it’s our time to breathe out truth, i.e. to freely share unvarnished gospel truth with contemporary society.  Political correctness has caused so many of us to mute our voices while the world so audaciously advances an agenda of unrighteousness. 

So speak.  According to the Word, the whole earth “eagerly waits for the revealing [the manifestation] of the sons of God.” (Romans 8:19, NKJV)  My friend, it’s a life or death matter.  DECLARE THE GOSPEL EVERYWHERE!

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 PRICKLY PEARS (PAIRS)

HOW TO HANDLE PRICKLY PEARS (PAIRS)

During our time as resident missionaries in South Africa, Belinda and I encountered the PRICKLY PEAR, which allegedly was introduced by European settlers 300 years ago.  Over a period of many years, it reverted to its spiny form.  This more troublesome form of the prickly pear resulted in dense, impenetrable thickets, which negatively impacted domestic agriculture.

Nevertheless, skillful scientists made botanical changes that resulted in the spineless prickly pear, that can be utilized as fruit for humans and fodder for animals.

What is my point?  Just because some things (or people) seem initially problematic or difficult does not mean that they are totally lacking in value or usefulness.  Typically, there is a REASON why things (or people) become the way they are.

For example, one of the well-known characteristics of GOATS is irritability.  While this may not be true of all goats, it’s especially true of goats in the Rocky Mountains, USA.  These mountain goats are so ‘prickly’ that if they were to live in close proximity, the likely result would be the injury or death of a neighboring goat.

As puzzling as their behavior might seem, there is a good reason for it.  Mountain goats live in areas where there is an extremely limited food supply.  If they were to live in groups, they would die because none would have sufficient food to survive.

Believe it or not, there is a similar situation with certain challenging people we know.  Their behavior seems downright puzzling and offensive.  They can be cold, prickly, irritable and harsh.  However, if we would only take time and effort to look deeper, we might discover underlying reasons for their gruff behavior.  Perhaps they experienced overwhelming hurt or loss at an early age.  Perhaps they are now dealing with monumental problems, pain, or stress.  More often than not, there is a distinct reason for their prickliness.  While this line of reasoning does not justify bad behavior, it helps us to come to grips with it.

So the question is begged: What will YOU do with the PRICKLY PEARS (PEOPLE) in and around your life?  Will you automatically disdain and discard them?  Or will you ask God for wisdom to visualize and empathize with their problems and pains, thereby exposing them to unconditional and transformational love?  Admittedly, it will take a substantial measure of FAITH to engage difficult people and accomplish this.  But, wouldn’t you know it?  Believers have both the means and the method.  God’s Word declares that “FAITH works by LOVE.” (Galatians 5:6)

I even found confirmation in a line of lyrics taken from a song in the musical, “Camelot.”  [Editor’s Admission: “Yes, I do like the show tunes!]  This memorable lyric line comes as the answer to an intriguing and timeless (somewhat chauvinistic) question: “HOW TO HANDLE A WOMAN?”  The musical response is wisely simplistic: “The way to ‘handle’ a woman is to LOVE HER…SIMPLY LOVE HER…MERELY LOVE HER…LOVE HER…LOVE HER.”

My friend, never discard PRICKLY PEARS (OR PAIRS).  Hang in there and love them to life!

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