April 30
Who among us is so blind as to be unable to recognize the total unworthiness of virtually every entity around us? Who cannot see the fact that our leaders are morally and ethically lacking and that business and even religious leaders are so consumed with the desire to profit financially that they will do or say anything, compromise any principle, in order to gain wealth and power?
Who among us has not felt the snare of temptation tugging upon us, heard temptation’s siren song wooing us to compromise our own integrity so we could become partakers more fully in the rewards that seem to accrue to those who set aside the standard of God and embrace the tactics of the world?
Whether the incentive might be to cheat on our taxes or to cheat on our spouse in order to realize a short-term prize of some sort, in the depth of our being we know that whatever ‘advantage’ we may appear to gain through the compromise of our integrity before God, it will be short-lived and it will turn to bitterness that will gnaw within us and ultimately destroy us.
Though we may not appear to gain an advantage when we do things God’s way, His Word assures us that we do. Proverbs 3:5, 6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Our ways, the world’s ways may bring an advantage to those who employ them, but it is fleeting. God’s ways are established and His ways are eternally blessed.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Eternal Day of Reckoning
April 29
We live in an age that is growing ever more lawless. Man has always had a proclivity toward rebellion against authority but it was once held in check by the constraints of community and family pressure to conform to an appropriate, societally acceptable, standard of behavior.
The desire to remain within appropriate boundaries of behavior, the requirement of living up to a generally accepted standard is no longer imposed upon anyone. Our society has given us the license to do our own thing. There will be no finger pointing, no hint of disapproval. We have become entities unto ourselves and the attitude is, “I’m OK; you’re OK.”
Well, I may be OK in your eyes as long as I don’t attempt to impose my standard upon you, and you may be fine in my opinion as long as you don’t try to shove your choices down my throat—but neither your assent nor mine are the ultimate standard of approval that we will be measured by. And, yes, there will be a day of accounting even though our society has dismissed it.
Ultimately, God has not changed. He remains constant in spite of the ebb and flow of societal mores, in spite of the ever-changing, ever diminishing standards of man who is steeped in sin. In Haggai 1:5, the Lord Almighty makes a simple yet sobering assertion. He says, “Give careful thought to your ways.” If we as individuals or as a people neglect to do so, we will find those ways found wanting on His eternal day of reckoning.
We live in an age that is growing ever more lawless. Man has always had a proclivity toward rebellion against authority but it was once held in check by the constraints of community and family pressure to conform to an appropriate, societally acceptable, standard of behavior.
The desire to remain within appropriate boundaries of behavior, the requirement of living up to a generally accepted standard is no longer imposed upon anyone. Our society has given us the license to do our own thing. There will be no finger pointing, no hint of disapproval. We have become entities unto ourselves and the attitude is, “I’m OK; you’re OK.”
Well, I may be OK in your eyes as long as I don’t attempt to impose my standard upon you, and you may be fine in my opinion as long as you don’t try to shove your choices down my throat—but neither your assent nor mine are the ultimate standard of approval that we will be measured by. And, yes, there will be a day of accounting even though our society has dismissed it.
Ultimately, God has not changed. He remains constant in spite of the ebb and flow of societal mores, in spite of the ever-changing, ever diminishing standards of man who is steeped in sin. In Haggai 1:5, the Lord Almighty makes a simple yet sobering assertion. He says, “Give careful thought to your ways.” If we as individuals or as a people neglect to do so, we will find those ways found wanting on His eternal day of reckoning.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
With You Forever
April 28
As we might imagine, the disciples were distraught when Jesus told them He would be leaving them. As Jews of that day—and unto this day believe—the Messiah would come as a conqueror! He would deliver Israel from their oppressors and He would establish an everlasting kingdom.
When Jesus said He was leaving, their hope of His establishing that kingdom was dashed, along with their aspirations of helping Him govern it. After His crucifixion, they hid in fear in an upper room, dreading the arrival of the Roman soldiers who would carry them off to a similar fate.
What transformed them from cowering recluses into a band of men who transformed the world? The miracle of boldness within them and the accompanying success of their mission sprang from the words of Jesus found in John 14: 16-17. Here, the Lord makes a promise that enabled them to achieve all He set before them to do. It can empower YOU to fulfill all He has for your life as well!
“Jesus said, ‘I will ask the Father and He will give you a Comforter to be with you forever—the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him because it doesn’t see Him or know Him but YOU know Him, for He lives with you and He dwells in you.’” The Holy Spirit in you is all you need to overcome the world as Jesus and His disciples did! The Holy Spirit will transform the world around you so you, too, can further His Kingdom!
As we might imagine, the disciples were distraught when Jesus told them He would be leaving them. As Jews of that day—and unto this day believe—the Messiah would come as a conqueror! He would deliver Israel from their oppressors and He would establish an everlasting kingdom.
When Jesus said He was leaving, their hope of His establishing that kingdom was dashed, along with their aspirations of helping Him govern it. After His crucifixion, they hid in fear in an upper room, dreading the arrival of the Roman soldiers who would carry them off to a similar fate.
What transformed them from cowering recluses into a band of men who transformed the world? The miracle of boldness within them and the accompanying success of their mission sprang from the words of Jesus found in John 14: 16-17. Here, the Lord makes a promise that enabled them to achieve all He set before them to do. It can empower YOU to fulfill all He has for your life as well!
“Jesus said, ‘I will ask the Father and He will give you a Comforter to be with you forever—the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him because it doesn’t see Him or know Him but YOU know Him, for He lives with you and He dwells in you.’” The Holy Spirit in you is all you need to overcome the world as Jesus and His disciples did! The Holy Spirit will transform the world around you so you, too, can further His Kingdom!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Heaven's Draft Board
April 27
The Lord our God is awesome beyond our ability to describe or comprehend. He holds the whole earth, everyone in it, and everything that exists, in the hollow of His hand. Yet many pooh-pooh His ability to intervene in the affairs of men, and some deny Him outright. Today, may I share an experience that occurred during the time of the Viet Nam War.
A young teacher received a draft notice. When he shared that information with a colleague, it was dismissed with the assertion, “God doesn’t want you in the Army; He wants you here, teaching fifth grade.”
As was required, he got his affairs in order and prepared to set off for boot camp. Meanwhile, the colleague who spoke so adamantly regarding God’s will in the matter asked her students to write letters to the draft board beseeching that their beloved teacher be exempted from military service in order to remain in the classroom. Several weeks passed without any acknowledgment of those letters.
The Sunday night immediately prior to the Tuesday that the draftee was required to report for duty, his friend attended a church service in spite of the fact that she was discouraged because it appeared that all efforts to prevent his going into the army were futile. She felt her statement of faith had not only made her a laughing stock but had cast aspersions upon God, for whom it appeared she had presumed to speak.
After the lively singing, there was a message in tongues that quickened her faith and her hope. It was, “There’s a daughter of Mine here tonight who thinks she has cast aspersions on Me by proclaiming My word to her. I want her to know that tomorrow she shall see My promise fulfilled.”
That same night, the young man received a phone call from Mr. Robert Ford, the head of the Selective Service System in the state of Pennsylvania where he resided. Mr. Ford said, “The draft board has reviewed the children’s letters and we agree with them. You do NOT have to report to induction headquarters on Tuesday.” The next morning, he shared that happy news!
Jesus showed Himself to be in control of the draft board that day. He is also in control of whatever it is that may be impacting your life, disrupting your future, destroying your hope. Now as then you may do as stated in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call unto Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you cannot imagine.” Your God has more power than all that opposes you. Watch Him use it in your behalf!
The Lord our God is awesome beyond our ability to describe or comprehend. He holds the whole earth, everyone in it, and everything that exists, in the hollow of His hand. Yet many pooh-pooh His ability to intervene in the affairs of men, and some deny Him outright. Today, may I share an experience that occurred during the time of the Viet Nam War.
A young teacher received a draft notice. When he shared that information with a colleague, it was dismissed with the assertion, “God doesn’t want you in the Army; He wants you here, teaching fifth grade.”
As was required, he got his affairs in order and prepared to set off for boot camp. Meanwhile, the colleague who spoke so adamantly regarding God’s will in the matter asked her students to write letters to the draft board beseeching that their beloved teacher be exempted from military service in order to remain in the classroom. Several weeks passed without any acknowledgment of those letters.
The Sunday night immediately prior to the Tuesday that the draftee was required to report for duty, his friend attended a church service in spite of the fact that she was discouraged because it appeared that all efforts to prevent his going into the army were futile. She felt her statement of faith had not only made her a laughing stock but had cast aspersions upon God, for whom it appeared she had presumed to speak.
After the lively singing, there was a message in tongues that quickened her faith and her hope. It was, “There’s a daughter of Mine here tonight who thinks she has cast aspersions on Me by proclaiming My word to her. I want her to know that tomorrow she shall see My promise fulfilled.”
That same night, the young man received a phone call from Mr. Robert Ford, the head of the Selective Service System in the state of Pennsylvania where he resided. Mr. Ford said, “The draft board has reviewed the children’s letters and we agree with them. You do NOT have to report to induction headquarters on Tuesday.” The next morning, he shared that happy news!
Jesus showed Himself to be in control of the draft board that day. He is also in control of whatever it is that may be impacting your life, disrupting your future, destroying your hope. Now as then you may do as stated in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call unto Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you cannot imagine.” Your God has more power than all that opposes you. Watch Him use it in your behalf!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
The Good Is Enemy of the Best
April 26
It isn’t easy to recognize the best option in every situation. The old adage is, ‘The good is enemy of the best.’ Often, it is the good things around us that beckon us away from the ultimate prize.
The husband who has grown weary with the routine of married life seeks excitement in the arms of an illicit new love. In so doing, he robs himself forever of the joys of watching his children grow to respect him and honor him—to have his family around him when the ravages of old age begin to take their ultimate toll.
The lovely new home with the open floor plan is preferred over the traditional one, even though the older home has sturdier construction and will afford a more easily maintained and dependable place to live for a longer period of time. How can we know, when we are faced with alluring choices, just how precipitous a fall we can have if we select the wrong one?
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask of God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” God does not fault us for being tempted by sin, but for succumbing to sin. He does not expect that we be able to discern the right choice in every circumstance. He simply wants us to recognize that the right answers always lie with Him and that it behooves us to seek Him for them.
It isn’t easy to recognize the best option in every situation. The old adage is, ‘The good is enemy of the best.’ Often, it is the good things around us that beckon us away from the ultimate prize.
The husband who has grown weary with the routine of married life seeks excitement in the arms of an illicit new love. In so doing, he robs himself forever of the joys of watching his children grow to respect him and honor him—to have his family around him when the ravages of old age begin to take their ultimate toll.
The lovely new home with the open floor plan is preferred over the traditional one, even though the older home has sturdier construction and will afford a more easily maintained and dependable place to live for a longer period of time. How can we know, when we are faced with alluring choices, just how precipitous a fall we can have if we select the wrong one?
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask of God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” God does not fault us for being tempted by sin, but for succumbing to sin. He does not expect that we be able to discern the right choice in every circumstance. He simply wants us to recognize that the right answers always lie with Him and that it behooves us to seek Him for them.
Monday, April 25, 2011
The Way of Salvation
April 25
We are a forward-looking people. We anticipate opportunity and grasp it. In a depressed real estate market, this means purchasing foreclosed properties. In a bearish stock market, it means going with the companies which are in a good position to rebound in a bullish market. In relationships, it means hanging with the ‘in crowd.’
We are always endeavoring to position ourselves with the winners. It doesn’t make sense to lag behind, to be among those who are left in the dust of the people who blaze trails into new ventures with new ideas and new strategies.
But the Word of God, as always, has a somewhat different perspective. In Jeremiah 6:16 the Lord says, “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient path; ask where the good way is and walk in it—then you will find rest for your souls.” In all our forward-looking, we must not recklessly abandon the tried and true path.
In this day when religious choices abound, we must hold fast to our Christian faith that has brought us to blessings that exceed those of all previous generations. Though many may walk onto spiritual paths that lure them into new directions, the wise man of faith in Jesus will steadfastly remain in the Way of Salvation that only He provides.
We are a forward-looking people. We anticipate opportunity and grasp it. In a depressed real estate market, this means purchasing foreclosed properties. In a bearish stock market, it means going with the companies which are in a good position to rebound in a bullish market. In relationships, it means hanging with the ‘in crowd.’
We are always endeavoring to position ourselves with the winners. It doesn’t make sense to lag behind, to be among those who are left in the dust of the people who blaze trails into new ventures with new ideas and new strategies.
But the Word of God, as always, has a somewhat different perspective. In Jeremiah 6:16 the Lord says, “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient path; ask where the good way is and walk in it—then you will find rest for your souls.” In all our forward-looking, we must not recklessly abandon the tried and true path.
In this day when religious choices abound, we must hold fast to our Christian faith that has brought us to blessings that exceed those of all previous generations. Though many may walk onto spiritual paths that lure them into new directions, the wise man of faith in Jesus will steadfastly remain in the Way of Salvation that only He provides.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION!
The cherubs on their harps will play
To usher in this Easter Day
While angels sing in sweet accord
The glory of our risen Lord.
But humble man must kneel and pray--
His Resurrection sets us free to say--
"The stain of sin I bear no more!
Christ's sacrifice has made me pure."
HAPPY EASTER!
April 24
What is one to do when fear raises its ugly head? What is one to do when confronted with financial ruin or with physical illness or with relational upheaval? What is one to do when the waves of an impending storm threaten to devastate all that is held dear?
There are self-help gurus who offer copious books containing information that is designed to afford assistance in plying through the quagmire of life’s problems—or at least to make the author wealthy in the process of selling his ideas!
But in the depth of the spirit of a man at the point of his extremity is the quiet reminder that there is but One who is worthy of his complete confidence at the crossroad where he needs help in deciding which way to turn; at the point where he needs wisdom beyond his own to assure that the path he chooses will lead where he desires to go.
At that juncture, at that pivot point where it is absolutely imperative that the right choice is made, that the correct path is taken, the Word of God gives encouragement. In Deuteronomy 31:6 the Lord’s word to His people is, “Be strong and of a good courage. Do not be afraid…for the Lord your God is with you…He will never forsake you.” Never!
The cherubs on their harps will play
To usher in this Easter Day
While angels sing in sweet accord
The glory of our risen Lord.
But humble man must kneel and pray--
His Resurrection sets us free to say--
"The stain of sin I bear no more!
Christ's sacrifice has made me pure."
HAPPY EASTER!
April 24
What is one to do when fear raises its ugly head? What is one to do when confronted with financial ruin or with physical illness or with relational upheaval? What is one to do when the waves of an impending storm threaten to devastate all that is held dear?
There are self-help gurus who offer copious books containing information that is designed to afford assistance in plying through the quagmire of life’s problems—or at least to make the author wealthy in the process of selling his ideas!
But in the depth of the spirit of a man at the point of his extremity is the quiet reminder that there is but One who is worthy of his complete confidence at the crossroad where he needs help in deciding which way to turn; at the point where he needs wisdom beyond his own to assure that the path he chooses will lead where he desires to go.
At that juncture, at that pivot point where it is absolutely imperative that the right choice is made, that the correct path is taken, the Word of God gives encouragement. In Deuteronomy 31:6 the Lord’s word to His people is, “Be strong and of a good courage. Do not be afraid…for the Lord your God is with you…He will never forsake you.” Never!
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