KEEPING THE MAIN THING AS THE MAIN THING

KEEPING THE THING AS THE MAIN THING

In life, it’s mission critical to set and maintain proper priorities.  In his book, “The Eye of the Storm,” Christian author Max Lucado tells the following true story from more than a century ago.

Two paddleboats left Memphis, traveling down the Mississippi River to New Orleans.  As they journeyed side by side, sailors from one vessel made remarks about the slow pace of the other.  Words were exchanged, challenges made, and a frantic river race began.

However, one boat fell behind because of insufficient fuel.  There had been plenty of coal for a normal trip, but not enough for a rapid race.  As the boat dropped back, a competitive young sailor took some of the cargo and tossed it into the ship’s furnace.  Wow!  They fueled their boat at the expense of valuable cargo they had been assigned to transport.  They actually won the race but totally forfeited their purpose.  In the heat of the moment, they sacrificed their reason for being.

Similarly, God has entrusted priceless ‘cargo’ to us: our children, our spouses, our friends.  Our job is to do our part in seeing that this cargo reaches its divinely intended destination.  When goals take priority over people, the inevitable result is suffering.  Prayerfully consider this: how much cargo is sacrificed to achieve self-centered goals?  How many people never reach their life-destinations because of our aggressive and competitive spirits?

Set love-based priorities.  Always keep the main thing as the main thing.

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

WHY BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF?

WHY BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF?

Some people feel and act as if their lives reflect sheer perfection.  From their ‘flawless’ point-of-view, nothing of negative consequence has ever been uttered or produced by them.  However, others have the debilitating tendency to see themselves as perpetually flawed failures.  Both positions are extreme, and neither represents reality.

Don’t be so quick to toot your own horn, but by all means – when it comes down to self-evaluation – try to give yourself a break!  This emotional assignment is actually difficult for some.

For example, John Quincy Adams held more important offices than anyone else in the history of the United States.  He served with distinction as president, senator, congressman, ambassador to major European powers, and also participated in various capacities during the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and events leading up to the Civil War.  Yet, at age 70 [my own age], he wrote, “My whole life has been a succession of disappointments.  I can scarcely recollect a single instance of success in anything that I ever undertook.”  Wow!

My friend, your life might not have been a picture of perfection, but surely there are bright spots, meaningful, measurable and memorable moments of success.  So don’t be so hard on yourself.  Learn to give YOU a break!

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

ENCOURAGING IS A GIFT

ENCOURAGING IS A GIFT

You may never know the seed blessings you have planted in someone’s life, just by deciding to be an on-purpose encourager.  Consider the following true story.

Forty thousand fans were on hand in the Oakland stadium when Rickey Henderson tied Lou Brock’s career record of stolen bases.  According to USA Today, Lou Brock, who left baseball in 1979, had actively followed Henderson's baseball career and was extremely excited about his success.  Realizing that Rickey would set a new record, Brock said, “I’ll be there.  Do you think I’m going to miss it?  Rickey did in 12 years what took me 19 to do.  He’s amazing!”

The greatest success stories in life are actually the people who can rejoice in the successes of others.  What Lou Brock did in cheering on Rickey Henderson should be a way of life, both in our natural families and in the family of God.  Few circumstances give us a better opportunity to exhibit God’s grace than when someone succeeds and surpasses us in an area of our own strength and achievement. 

My friend, be an encourager.  It’s a marvelous blessing to others – in ways you may never know.

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

YOUR OPTIMISTIC ADVANTAGE

YOUR OPTIMISTIC ADVANTAGE

Both the hummingbird and the vulture fly over our nation’s deserts.  All vultures see is rotting meat, because that is the target and expectation of their search.  They subsist on that diet.  However, hummingbirds ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals.  Instead, they look for the colorful blossoms of desert plants.  The vultures live on what was; they live on the past, filling themselves with what is dead and gone.  Hummingbirds live on what is; they seek new life, filling themselves with freshness and vitality.  Ultimately, both of these birds find what they are looking for – so do we.

Bottom-line: Look forward and embrace life.  There is no blessing or benefit in in gazing backwards.

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

FAITH FOR HEALING (Part III)

FAITH FOR HEALING (Part III)

In addition to spiritual redemption, physical healing is available to believers because of our faith-filled covenant with God.  However, many modern-day Christians now assume that the age of miracles has passed or was solely limited to the public earthly ministry of Jesus Christ and the early church apostles who walked daily with Him.  Since there is definite biblical evidence that the reverse of this assumption is true, and since miracles actually remain as a fundamental component of Christian ministry, what are the conditions that block or minimize their manifestation in our generation? 

Let’s logically and scripturally consider this issue.

Some believe that the availability of modern medicine results in a tendency for many to avoid seeking or praying for divine healing.  In a word, many conclude that health challenges will be addressed satisfactorily by their physicians.  The anecdotal evidence for this is etched in the memories of those in my own age-group.  Growing up, our parents possibly found the cost of regular doctor visits to be unaffordable.  As a result, they leaned more so on the Lord, on prayer, for the healing of their families.

Another limiting factor is the general erosion of faith due to the preaching of a diluted and humanistic gospel.  Many have developed ‘ala-carte faith’ – meaning they only believe segments of the scriptural record that seem appealing or plausible to them.

An additional problem is the failure of many to follow principles of holiness that are clearly required by Almighty God.  Since all of God’s promises are conditional, haphazard lifestyles serve to nullify the covenant, and our healing can be delayed or denied.

Finally, the end-time has produced a series of destructive frontal attacks by our satanic adversary.  In fact, I am convinced that believers are under greater emotional, physical and spiritual pressure than at any point in human history.

Since all of this sounds quite disappointing and depressing, so what is our solution?

In order to gain ultimate victory in and over this world system, we must purposefully tune out the world.  That is, we must be filled with the Spirit; we must walk in intimate and consecrated commitment to Christ; we must maintain authentic and loving relationships with those without and within the church; and, we must be found fully embracing the essential mission of the church, which is soul-winning.

I am fully persuaded that ALL of God’s promises are available and accessible to us when we give ALL of ourselves to Him.  Therefore, any failure to receive are never attributable to God, only to us.  Referring to the healing virtue that is present in Christ’s cross, the Apostle Peter penned these words: “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” (I Peter 2:24)

Faith is an indispensable requirement.  Prayerfully consider this divine telegram for you and me:  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

I conclude with my personal appeal to the grace and mercy of God. “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.” (Mark 9L24)

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

FAITH FOR HEALING (Part II)

FAITH FOR HEALING (Part II)

I firmly believe that healing is a promised provision in our covenant relationship with God.  In addition to spiritual redemption, a primary component of Jesus’ earthly ministry was physical healing.  Hear the Word of the Lord:

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23)

This supernatural healing capability was extended to His disciples as a powerful witness to the truth of the gospel of the Kingdom:

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. (Matthew 10:1)

And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. (Mark 16:17-19)

[The apostles] stayed there (in Iconium) a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. (Acts 14:3)

The prevalence and power of miracles both during and following Jesus’ public ministry, indicates His intention to minister to the whole man: body, mind and spirit. (Luke 4:18)

Therefore, the question is begged: ‘What about modern-day Christians?  Is the age of miracles past, limited to a select few of those who physically walked with Jesus?  If not, what current conditions serve to minimize Heaven’s healing power?  Prayerfully consider this and stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

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

FAITH FOR HEALING (Part I)

FAITH FOR HEALING (Part I)

During my post-surgical recovery, I have not posted devotionals – actually since the first week in October.  Happily, I am now able to resume this ministry assignment and to provide you with daily doses of information and inspiration.  Presently, I will focus on the subject of divine healing, which has occupied my thoughts and prayers in recent weeks.

First of all, I firmly believe that healing is a promised provision in our covenant relationship with God.  Does this mean that true believers will be healed of any and all diseases, in every instance?  Both observation and experience inform us that the most likely response to that question is “no.” 

However, divine purpose is sown in every human condition.  In “Run Today’s Race,” Oswald Chambers (one of my ‘spiritual heroes’) penned these apropos words: “Faith for my deliverance means that, whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is love.  There are some things only learned in the fiery furnace.”  Wow!

While I do not subscribe to the idea that sickness results from our sovereign God, I am confident that HE uses every life situation to draw us closer and increase our faith.  So if you are now challenged physically (or otherwise), you must and shall trust in the knowledge, the love, and the power of God.  He KNOWS all about your condition; and, He LOVES you enough to meet you at the point of your need; and, He has the POWER to fully deliver or faithfully sustain you, today and tomorrow.

During this devotional series, I’ll highlight God’s Word regarding healing and our faith for healing.  These verses provide spiritual encouragement and faith focus.  You’ve heard what others have said (and even what you’ve said to yourself); now hear what GOD says:

He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. (Psalm 107:20)

He was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed. (I Peter 2:24)

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. (Psalm 118:17)

God has spoken, so let the church say “Amen!”  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

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