Monthly Archives: March 2015

PAID IN FULL

“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’                                                 With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30)

I heard recently on several media outlets that a young entertainer who has been notorious for not-so-pleasant run-ins with the law picked up the tab for a group of police officers at a diner in midtown Manhattan. After posing for a picture with the officers, the performer later stated that he was committed to being a better person and restoring his image. In contrast, a friend related a story to me years ago about a group of residents from a nursing home who had been transported to a local restaurant where they were scheduled to have a luncheon outing.  A nice gentleman who had also been dining there came over to their table, asked where they were from, and after a brief conversation wished them a wonderful day.  Later, when the nursing home residents requested their bill, the waitress told them it had been taken care of.  It was obvious who had most likely paid their debt, but the waitress was not allowed to say.  Now if these two stories were a modern-day parable as they easily could be, Jesus would have us answer this question: Even though both balances were paid by a generous individual, which one received the greatest blessing from God?

Jesus went to the cross to pay our debt in full. On either side of Him hung a convicted criminal who had been sentenced to die (Matthew 27:38). One of them mocked Jesus, but the other seemed to appreciate who He was. The latter had his debt forgiven and received the gift of eternal life (Luke 23:40-43).  While it is not clear how this thief may have come to have such a clear understanding of Jesus, he received far more than he deserved . . . just like us. We all awaken in the morning with what some would tell us is a fresh start.  In reality, our new day is anything but a clean slate. However our life failures do not condemn us in God’s eyes because of what His Son did for us on the cross. The blood of Jesus provided a new covenant with God, in that He came to do for us what we were incapable of doing for ourselves

Paul says that “We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:10). Our role is that as we progress through our journey, we must position ourselves as a living example of His teachings, fully demonstrating that we are a true child of God. Unfortunately, we spend a lot of time making our own rules and hoping for the free gift of the ‘last minute save’ similar to that which was given to the thief on the cross. Our culture perpetuates this idea by promoting deals on last minute flights and vacations and portraying contestants on reality shows being scooped up in a ‘save’ by another team.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to treat my promise of the Hereafter in the same way that some might conduct their view of the Here and Now. Warren Wiersbe has stated: “Most Christians are being crucified on a cross between two thieves: Yesterday’s regret and tomorrow’s worries.” I don’t think that’s what Paul meant when he said, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

A group of artists were once asked how they knew when their painting was done. The one who spoke first stated that before he begins, he has a clear vision of what it is that he wants to paint. That vision inspires his work, and he knows whenever it has been satisfied on the canvas. Another, who was a man of fewer words, declared that his work is completed only when he signs his name on the piece.  When he does so, it is finished. Likewise, Jesus knew when His mission had been fulfilled when he said, “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4). He had paid in full the debt of sin for all mankind. Just as Jesus is triumphant at Calvary, He will ultimately win the victory in our lives when we surrender ourselves to Him. While the painting may be completed, the rest of the story has not yet been written for the sinner whose work will eventually be signed off with the blood of Christ.

REFLECTION: In what ways do we ignore the simple commands of Christ and make up our own rules?  As such, do we assume that the free gift of salvation is always there for the taking?  How can we improve on walking a fine line between knowing our debts have been paid in full and living a better life for God?

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT., APRIL 4, 2015.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE FREE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com  YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED)

HE KNOWS MY NAME

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place.
  What is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4)

I hate when it happens.  Someone comes up to you and says, “Do you remember who I am?” Sometimes I do; at other times I don’t have a clue.  If the names Sam, Diane, Woody, Carla, Cliff, and Norm sound familiar – then you were probably a fan of the sitcom “Cheers’ which aired for eleven seasons from 1982 to 1993.  You’ll recall the Boston Cheers Bar as the place “where everybody knows your name.”  As the theme song asked – “wouldn’t you like to get away…where they’re always glad you came?”  Whether that place is work, school, church, or just in the loving arms of your family and friends – we each long for that familiarity. Maybe you have appreciated and been impressed by that individual who remembered your name. It’s a skill we should all work on, because when we do recollect someone’s name – they feel valued. W. C. Fields said, “It ain’t what they call you, it’s what you answer to.”  His thought begs the question – to what or whom do you answer?

On March 7, 2015 – God knew the name Lily Groesbeck, an 18-month-old child from Utah who was trapped and suspended in an upside down vehicle for some fourteen hours.   It was determined that Lily, who had been traveling alone with her mother, had survived an accident with their car ending up in a river. Days after the rescue, responders agreed that they heard an adult voice coming from inside the car. They admitted that the mysterious sound had prompted them toward a more rapid recovery effort. A fisherman spotted the vehicle and summoned emergency personnel who revived the child and led to her astounding recovery as the only survivor. One of the officers who heard the voice was quoted as saying that “it was plain as day.” Lily, who became known as ‘the miracle baby’ needed help, and it’s apparent that God provided it. “The voice of the LORD was heard above the waters; the God of glory thundered; the LORD was heard over many waters” (Psalm 29:3).

Names are important. Jesus gave Simon the name of Peter (John 1:42) and said that it was “on this rock I will build my church.”  God renamed Jacob Israel (Genesis 35:10), because he had struggled with the Lord by demanding a blessing. In Genesis 17:5-6, we learn that God changed the name of Abram (‘Exalted Father’) to Abraham (‘Father of a multitude’). It’s as though He set each one of these individuals on a fresh path of life when they received their new names.  God knows our names in a very personal and intimate way as well.  If He cares enough to know the name of every star (Psalm 147:4) and the numbering of each of the hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30), we can be sure He comprehends everything about us and our life journey. I am fond of the words of a chorus by Tommy Walker:

“I have a Maker, He formed my heart;
Before even time began, My life was in his hands.
I have a Father, He calls me His own;
He’ll never leave me, No matter where I go.
He knows my name. He knows my every thought;
He sees each tear that falls, And He hears me when I call.”

Long before Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me” (John 10:14), a young shepherd by the name of David reflected on the awesomeness of God’s knowledge about us. Might we somehow be like David. For when it comes right down to it – He whose “name is above every name” (Philippians 2:9) is the most important One who also knows our very own.

REFLECTION: Can you recall specific events in your life when it was very clear that God not only knew your name but everything about you?  How do we handle those times when we are ashamed for God to remember us by name? Take time to read Psalm 139 and meditate on the wisdom of this chapter.  Listen to Tommy Walker’s chorus at http://batlyrics.net/he_knows_my_name-lyrics-tommy_walker.html

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT., MARCH 28, 2015.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE FREE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com  YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED)

BLESSINGS

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8).

I had finished all I needed to say.  The phone call was about to conclude, and the person at the other end simply said, “God bless you.”  Without any hesitation, I replied, “God bless you as well.”  It was rather inspiring, especially since the last time I may have been the receiver of those words was after I had sneezed. I never did quite understand how the ousting of a full-hearted sneeze could result in the offering of another’s well wishes. However, through the ages several explanations have been documented. One justification is that sneezing was the body’s attempt to expel an evil presence. Another account dates far back to the time of Pope Gregory I in AD 590 when the blessing became common practice in an effort to halt the spread of the bubonic plague. In my afore-mentioned phone call, it was just a refreshing way of saying thank you for what I hoped had been a helpful conversation in providing an honest reference for someone I had known for many years.

Each March 17, our Irish friends remind us on Saint Patrick’s Day that through all that may happen to us in our journey – we should pause along the way to greet each other with statements of warmth, happiness, and good will. So old Irish Blessings reflect sentiments such as – “May the roads rise to meet you; May the wind be at your back; May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rain fall soft upon your fields. And, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”  We could perhaps learn a bit from the Irish as we struggle through the uncertainties of life, especially when we are forced to echo the words, “There’s no way I can see this as a blessing.”  When we’re dealing with an injury that might halt our career, receive the news of an unplanned pregnancy at the absolute worst time, or are confronted with the possibility that you may be facing financial ruin – it is true that most of us could fail to see the blessing in any of these.  As the passing of time so preciously offers an opportunity to reflect and heal, there are many who will later tell you that what once appeared to be a life-threatening disaster turned out to be nothing more than a real blessing in disguise.

For those who follow Christ, there are many opportunities to experience blessings. One does not have to look any further than the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, commonly known as the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12).  Here we learn that the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the merciful and others will be blessed spiritually. You might ask how one can be in any one of these conditions and feel blessed?  It’s because when this is our situation, we hopefully come to realize just how dependent we are on Him. Anytime we are drawn closer to God – there, in and of itself, is the blessing. Along our path we are prompted as well to be a blessing to others, especially those with whom we may not be on good terms. “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9). In other words, blessings sometimes create blessings.

Our greatest blessing in this life is without a doubt the grace that has been bestowed upon us through Jesus’ death on the cross. In that regard, we conclude that there are even more blessings awaiting believers when we pass from our human form into eternity. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…” (Ephesians 1:3).  For now, remember the blessing of the Old Testament which we often hear passed on as a benediction: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26). So, my friend – God Bless You.  May you find a way to work it into a conversation with your favorite Irishman. Or maybe we should just stop trying to hold back our sneezes so that we might hear it a little more often.

REFLECTION:  Can you think of a time that on the back side of what appeared to be a crisis that you felt blessed?  Will you be able to apply that knowledge in your life the next time you feel like you are on a sinking ship?  What might you offer others who would say to you, “There’s no way that I can see this as a blessing”?

For an inspirational blessing, go to:                                                                          http://www.e-water.net/viewflash.php?flash=irishblessing_en

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT., MARCH 21, 2015.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE FREE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com  YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED)

PERFECT TIMING

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him…” (Psalm 37:7)

We snap the photo just as the key play is made or as the colors of the sunset are most vibrant.  We submit the application as a vacancy occurs for a job requiring the exact credentials we possess.  Or when we’re on vacation, we pull off the highway minutes before a nasty storm and register for the last room the hotel has available that night. Some would call it luck; others might say it was just perfect timing. Whatever it was, we’re just glad it happened that way.  But what about when it doesn’t?  What happens if we have to wait or if our plans are altered?  I remember once checking into the gate at an airport to be told that my flight had been overbooked and that I was on standby. Even though I tried to be courteous, I insisted that I needed to get home. I am sure that I appeared frustrated, impatient, and perhaps less than gracious while efforts were being made to acknowledge my reservation and get me home in a timely manner. In the hustle and bustle of our hectic lives, we often find it difficult to wait for anything or anyone. We want what we want, and we want it now.

It’s always an exciting occasion as the weekend arrives when we set the clocks ahead to begin Daylight Savings Time. No matter what’s happening outside with the weather – the days will now seem to be longer, and we know that Spring is just around the corner.  Most of the clocks in my house are electric, but I do have one that instead can be erratic. It is a battery-powered atomic clock that resets itself.  When I wake up the morning after a time change, it will have successfully gained or lost an hour depending whether it’s Spring or Fall. But just as I think it’s up and running the way it should, it will suddenly adjust itself again and the timing will be totally off. Precise timing is hard to achieve with most things in life. I am so glad that we have a God whose timing is always perfect, even though we might not always think so. Charles Stanley says: “When we surrender to His timing, He does mighty things in and for us, according to His will and His timing. God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.”

Three friends of Jesus were caught up in a timing issue.  They were sisters Mary and Martha as well as their brother Lazarus, all known to Jesus. Lazarus became ill, and the sisters sent word to Jesus about their brother’s failing condition.  When Jesus received the news, He intentionally waited where He was for several more days (John 11:5-6). By the time Jesus arrived, scripture tells us that Lazarus had died and was already in the grave for four days (John 11:17).  A grieving Mary said to Jesus that she knew if He had been there that her brother would not have died (John 11:32) and Martha states that even so, she is confident that God will do whatever Jesus asks of Him (John 11:22). The event provides opportunity for Jesus to demonstrate that He was who He claimed to be, as He indeed raises Lazarus from the dead.  He also sends a clear message that God will be glorified for all those who have faith and wait on Him (John 11:40-44).

We can rest assured that our heavenly Father knows exactly where we are in our lives and what we need at every moment. He allows us to sometimes walk down a difficult path in order to develop patience (Galatians 5:22) and draw us closer to Him. “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  The Lord is not slow in his keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:8-9). God knows the big picture, the one where the timing of events makes no sense and seems impossible for us. It’s our job to cross the finish line, trusting Him with each step. We need to stop trying to figure out all of the details and simply let God be God. And if, by chance, we are someday able to look back and reflect on the journey – we will affirm with all certainty: “That was perfect timing. It was exactly the way it was supposed to be.”

REFLECTION: Do you become frustrated when it seems like your prayers have not be answered?  Are there times that you have found that waiting for an answer turns out to be the best direction for where you are in your journey?  Can you remember a time when a period of waiting provided spiritual growth as you found yourself drawing closer to Him?

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT., MARCH 14, 2015.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE FREE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com  YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED)