Monthly Archives: February 2014

FOR SALE

“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.”  (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5)

Every man has his price, or so they say.  George Washington put it this way:  “Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.”  If that is true, then one must ask the question, “What is your price?”  We are living in a society where increasingly there are no absolutes; it’s whatever is right for you.  Men and women of conviction, however, hold onto higher standards.  Down through history, some American Presidents have been great examples of character demonstrated through their convictions.  Others have simply had a reputation.  And yes, there is a difference.

Have you ever heard the narrative about the manager who was calling to obtain information about someone he was thinking of hiring? Inquiring about the potential hire, he told the person with whom he was speaking that he was seeking a character reference on the individual.  The reply was, “Oh he is quite a character.”  End of story . . . apparently the man’s reputation preceded him.

As Christians, our convictions determine our character.  God’s word offers us truths that as believers become uncompromising as we grow stronger in the faith.  Persons with integrity have a resilient set of values, so much that if they falter – it’s as if the real person is lost. Abraham Lincoln once said,Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.”  

In his letter to the church at Thessalonica (1Thes.1:4-5 above), Paul indicates that our deepest convictions are embraced and given power by the Holy Spirit.  There is this unmistakable tie between our convictions and our character;  so much that even in our darkest times of distress, holding onto our convictions can be one the greatest opportunities to affirm our character. Again Paul’s words to the church at Rome:  “… but we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:3-5)

It’s fairly simple for many individuals to offer public displays of personality that presume a life of integrity and character.  But when you are alone, and it’s just you and God – who are you?   For, “The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.” (John Wooden)   When we are absent that character, we’ve just ended up being a clearance item in the Presidents’ Day sale.

REFLECTION: What convictions do you hold that guide your conduct?  When you compromise your values, how do you reconcile that with God?  In your daily walk this week, apply 1 Corinthians 15:33 to your life:  “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.”  Are you for sale?  What do need to do to maintain your convictions?

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2014.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com  YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED AND IT’S FREE).

FIRST LOVE

“We love because he first loved us.”  (1 John 4:19)

As a child in elementary school, I can remember the tedious task of going through the purchased package of valentines to be distributed at the holiday party.  On each of the cards containing characters such as animals and cowboys, there would be printed sayings.  For instance, “You’ve got me hooked” might appear next to the image of a pirate, and usually the accompanying catchphrase “Be My Valentine” would be ever-present. There were cards that were more appropriate for girls than boys and, of course, ones that expressed more affection than others which you saved for your friends.  The left-over valentines that were more neutral or didn’t say a lot were the ones you ended up giving to the children you didn’t care for all that much.  Amazing how even in those younger years, we learned to hand out love in degrees. For, “when I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child” (1 Corinthians 13:11a).

Obviously, as grown-ups we wouldn’t think of acting like that for “when I became a man, I put childish ways behind me” (1 Corinthians 13: 11b). Or so we would like to think.  But we know it’s truly not the case, if we’re honest with ourselves.  Sometimes we adults withhold or withdraw our love with intention and don’t always do a good job fixing the fallout when we do so. I recently heard the story that on a snowy February day, a lady looked out her window.  A tear came to her eye as she saw one of her neighbors clearing her walkway with his snow blower. Although over time they had been in and out of each other’s homes, in the recent past there had been a perceived conflict with this family . . . life stuff that you are not so sure whether the feelings are real or imagined. She was surprised to see the neighbor doing such a kind deed and was humbled. Perhaps it was his way of saying that whatever had transpired was in the past or maybe no longer mattered. “When someone is going through a storm, your silent presence is more powerful than a million empty words” (Maria Rivera).  And so it was that her heart was warmed on this cold day.

If we could get this ‘love thing’ right, many of the solutions to the rest of life’s problems would fall into place.  Jesus said, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ ” (Matthew 22:37-39).  How can we possibly withhold love for our neighbor when just like us – they are God’s kids too.  Now that we have put away childish ways, we must save the best of the valentines for all of God’s children.  After all – it was He who first loved us.

REFLECTION:  As you interact with others in the upcoming week, pay attention to the varying degrees of friendliness you offer.  In those cases where you determine your affection might not be pleasing to God, think about what underlying factors are contributing to those feelings.  What dynamics can you work on or pray about so that you ultimately develop a relationship that would fulfill His commandment?

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com  YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED AND IT’S FREE).

 

IN THE DETAILS OF AWESOME

“Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.”   (Deuteronomy 7:21)

I must say that I am not surprised that Russian authorities have had to search for wanted terror suspects during weeks leading up to the opening of the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. It’s almost an expectation these days that when the masses gather, there is the potential threat of harm. Additionally, competing American athletes have been warned not to wear their uniforms outside of the games so as to not become potential targets. Speed skater Tucker Fredericks has asked his family not to attend the Olympics, even though it’s his third and most likely final participation.  He had security concerns, and worrying about them would be a distraction.  And finally, airlines providing transportation headed to Sochi were warned just days before the opening ceremonies that terrorists may try to hide explosives in toothpaste tubes on Russian-bound flights.  How sad . . . all of it.

Is it the best of times, or the worst of times?  It’s just another example of today’s world and how “the devil is in the details.”  We often hear this phrase when someone is talking about how small things can be overlooked and cause problems later on.  The figure of speech is actually taken from an earlier saying, “God is in the details.”  So which is it?  An argument can probably be made for both. However as Christians we stay focused on the God details, knowing that He “is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

If we allow our fears to keep us from doing things, then the terrorists win.  This was the prevailing mantra after the attacks on 9/11.  This does not mean that we act without caution. As Believers, we must ask for spiritual wisdom to guide our decisions and help us discern between good and evil.  In doing so, we gain confidence to face an uncertain world.  Recently I heard it stated this way:  “What we know of God encourages us to trust Him in all we do not know.”

Athletes train for many years to accomplish what some will describe as ‘awesome’ during the Olympic competitions.  It’s an expression that has become overused in recent years.  Yet long before it was popularized, the writers of scripture used the word awesome over and over again to describe our Lord and God.  The awesomeness of God didn’t require any training.  It was there in the beginning, continues to be, and will endure for evermore. He is the One who has demonstrated the wondrous details of Creation and Salvation, and it is in Him I am assured to place my faith. How awesome is that?

REFLECTION:  What threatens you from feeling totally secure in your daily walk?  In the details of your life, what tangible person or item provides your greatest refuge?  If it was no longer there, what would be your source of strength?

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT. FEBRUARY 15, 2014.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com  YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED AND IT’S FREE)

STAYING IN THE GAME

“I pray that out of his glorious riches, he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.”   Ephesians 3:16

When I would become frustrated at work or needed a sum of money for a particular reason, one of my favorite expressions used to be, “Well maybe I’ll win the lottery.”  The person to whom I was speaking would often say, “Do you play?”   To which I would reply, “Well, no I don’t.”  Rather dumbfounded, the comeback frequently was – “Don’t you know you have to play to win.”  I’d just smile and say, “Oh really?”

Recently the Seattle Seahawks’ fullback Derrick Coleman has received national attention.  At the age of 3, he was diagnosed as deaf. No one would have guessed then that someday he would be going to the Super Bowl.  After facing rejection and fighting for himself all of his life, he became the first deaf player in the NFL.  He was just that determined.  Coleman gained notoriety when his story was highlighted in a battery commercial, using the tagline, “Trust the Power Within.”

One of the first lessons children who play sports learn is how to face life in the eyes of defeat; how to get back up when you fall down.  To be an effective witness for Christ, one of the things we also need to embrace is staying in the game – how to “keep on keeping on” as some say.  We were never promised that as a Christian we would not have to deal with opposition, adversity, and discouragement.  In fact, it is our response to hardship that demonstrates our faith.  Scripture states it like this:  “So don’t throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.  You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”  (Hebrews 10: 35-36)

Winning a Super Bowl would be great, but true happiness doesn’t depend solely on winning.  “At the end of the day, football doesn’t define me,” states the Seattle Seahawks’  quarterback Russell Wilson.  Living life to the fullest with confidence in the source of the power within keeps us in the game regardless of what the final numbers are on the scoreboard.

REFLECTION:  As Christians we have heard the expression, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.”  How can you translate those words to a person you know who is having trouble coping with life?  How does God’s Holy Comforter provide an inner “peace that passeth all understanding” for you?  Could you possibly use a sports analogy to help someone better understand how to find spiritual confidence in the face of adversity?

For more inspiration about some of the players who are taking the field in this year’s Super Bowl, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxznMSLI7-M

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT. FEBRUARY 8, 2014.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com  YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED AND IT’S FREE)