Monthly Archives: November 2015

LISTS OF HOPE AND EXPECTATION

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

People in chronic illness, recovering from surgery, or facing life-threatening diagnoses. Those who are newly married, or others in new jobs or in search of work. Families in need of marital healing or the discovery of a higher power. Babies who are beginning their time on this earth and still others who are facing their final days. A few who have experienced bodily harm due to an accident and persons who are having mental anguish about a situation beyond their control. Our country and the world situation. Those serving in the armed services or in the mission field. Family, friends, neighbors. Some who are known well; others of whom I am barely aware.  Myself.  Who are these persons?  They would be a synopsis of many of the names on my prayer list. I hope that they are lives that might be changed or help to better the lives of others. Through faith, I have an expectation that only a loving God can make that happen if it is within His will.  So I share those concerns, names and situations of which He already knows, as I spend time alone with Him in prayer.

I was told that when I was young, my parents would allow me to look at the Wish Book to assist in the composing of my Santa list.  The only problem with that was that I would turn down the corners of almost every page in the toy section.  My hope was that I might get all of those things, but my expectation was that Santa would bring some of them for sure. When we are young, the excitement around the Christmas season seems to begin earlier and earlier each year. Long before the Halloween costumes have ever cleared the store shelves, Christmas decorations have already begun to surface.  As we mature, our thoughts often turn to meaningful times with family and friends. Upon entering the Advent season, we are filled with a renewed anticipation of the Messiah in the form of the baby Jesus of whom these words were spoken: “Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot–yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root (Isaiah 11:1).

How can we face hope and expectation in a world that sometimes seems hopeless but expects more and more?  The season of Advent gives hope that our lives have meaning beyond our current situation. For if we allow our search for hope to be defined by our present circumstance, then we will always be disappointed.  We should pause to remember that in the midst of changing life circumstances in the Old Testament, the rise and fall of hope also existed. New prophecy for a coming Messiah was often provided as faith began to decline. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). All of the prophecies pertaining to the first coming of Christ were precisely fulfilled. Since God never changes, we have hope for a future leading us to the expectation that the remaining prophecies will also transpire.  Advent represents the spiritual journey of individuals as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again not as a babe in a manger but as a King who will reign with righteousness and power.

Again this year, children will awake on Christmas morning expecting to find gifts under the tree. There may be some disappointment and maybe some surprises as the presents are opened, but the anticipation and excitement will be there nonetheless. “But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me” (Micah 7:7). During Advent, we long for the renewal of our lives with the hope and expectation that God will be faithful to see our circumstances, to hear our cries, and to know our longings for a better world. Meanwhile it would be best if we could once again become like little children in anticipation of what is to come, knowing the best gift we will ever receive doesn’t have to appear on a list – for it has already been given.

REFLECTION: Do you look forward to the four weeks of Advent as much as you do Christmas Day?  In what ways might you and your family bring meaning to the celebration of Advent season? How might it be different to show reverence for the Baby Jesus than it will someday be to bow before the King of Kings?

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT., DECEMBER 5, 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)

A DOUBLE PORTION

“… so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.” (Zechariah 8:13)

Again this year as is the custom, millions of Americans will have the privilege of sitting down to a fine Thanksgiving dinner. We will not only have a more than adequate plateful of food, we will most likely go back for seconds. Chances are, we may even have the opportunity in days to follow to enjoy the leftovers. Some might allow their minds to drift between the big meal and the football games to take stock of their blessings or perhaps offer a word of gratitude during a prayer before dinner.  How would your attitude be different if you were at home after a lengthy hospitalization or from serving in a foreign land and were now able to join at the dining room table with those loving, familiar faces you call family? What if you were recently at the soccer game, rock concert, or one of those cafés in Paris where the terrorists attacked, but you were fortunate to escape unscathed from that near-death experience?  How blessed might you then feel? If you were a loved one of one of these individuals, you might very well echo the words of the Apostle Paul: “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God” (Philippians 1:3).

As the ministry of the great prophet Elijah was coming to an end, another prophet Elisha joined him as his servant. Elisha faithfully followed Elijah even though Elijah commanded him more than once to stay behind. Near the end of Elijah’s life, he said to Elisha: “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” Elisha responded, “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit” (2 Kings 2:8-9). Elisha’s request was to be considered as Elijah’s successor and bring deliverance to his people. He hoped that he might be empowered with the same Spirit. It was not Elijah’s to give; it could only be fulfilled by God (2 Kings 2:10). So he was faithful to Elijah until his time came to an end. Through his passionate service, Elisha was actually serving God’s purposes in preparing him to do even greater works than Elijah. In asking for the “double blessing” – Elisha was not doing so out of selfish motives. He was asking so that he could accomplish more for God.

Blessings can show up at the most unexpected times. The famous Reformed Baptist minister, Charles Spurgeon, once told the story about once being robbed on the streets of London.  When he arrived home and shared his tale, he said “Well, thank the Lord anyway.”  His wife countered, “Thank the Lord that somebody stole your money?” “No, my dear,” answered her husband.  “First, I’m thankful the robber just took my money, not my life.  Secondly, I’m thankful I had left most of our money home and he didn’t really rob me of much.  Thirdly, I’m thankful to God that I was not the robber.”  Spurgeon had a true understanding of the words from 1 Peter 3:9: “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.”

The prophet Elisha and the preacher Spurgeon function to remind us that as we go through our journey, we can’t allow our situation to blind us of the mission ahead. It sometimes becomes easier in life to focus on the things which we do not have rather than to praise God for what He has provided. Vance Havner said: “Too many Christians are stuffing themselves with Gospel blessings while millions have never had a taste.” So as we gorge ourselves at this year’s Thanksgiving table – let us also take pause to count our blessings, even if they seem to be few in number. We may come to appreciate that in fact He has blessed us more abundantly than we ever thought possible, equipping us in turn to be a blessing to others. For when we come to that realization, we can be certain that we have received a double portion . . .  in life and for service.

REFLECTION: When is the last time you reflected on your blessings? In what ways has God continued to bless you throughout your life? Are you being faithful with the blessings He has provided?  When you sit down to dinner this Thanksgiving, think of ways that you might become fervent about your blessings. Consider how you might share a portion of what God has given you with others who are spiritually hungry and “have never had a taste.”

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT., NOVEMBER 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)

A GOOD REFERENCE

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. (Matthew 12:35)

From time to time, I am asked if I will serve as a reference for someone. Sometimes the person and I once worked together.  At other times, it is an individual I have known for many years in more of a collegial relationship. Most often, the reference is work-related. Unfortunately with many companies, the ability to provide a work reference is often limited to dates of employment and position held with other information needing to be withheld for legal reasons. Once in a while, there are also requests for references where the information requested is more about the person’s integrity or character. In these situations, it is often possible to be more open in providing information in order to assist the person to become a qualified applicant.

What would you do if you were seeking a character reference on an individual and you were provided with the following narrative:  “He will do anything you ask of him; in fact, he is fearless. He has had abundant periods of success but has also experienced great failures which include committing adultery and murder. Trouble seems to have a way of finding him.”  This might be enough to shuffle this particular resume to the bottom of the pile. But what if you listened a little more and read a bit further to learn that additional words used to describe this individual include: devoted, repentant, trusting, humble, and respectful?  You might wonder how this could be the same individual.  Is it possible that they have a split-personality? What would you think of this person if you knew that the reference was coming directly from God as He describes “a man after His own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14)?  Would you be surprised to realize that this is how he might likely characterize His loving servant, David, the shepherd boy who became a King?

When people talk about you, do they pronounce you as a person of character?  Or might they simply say – “He’s quite a character alright!”  Scripture tells us – “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21). Regardless of where David’s station in life positioned Him, He found His treasure in God. So it’s easy to see how even centuries later he would be remembered by the Apostle Paul as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). What is it then that defines one’s character? It would seem that it’s something that we strive for internally, that which enables others to capture glimpses of us as we act externally, and is also what God sees in each of us as we struggle through life and reach out to Him in faith. Abraham Lincoln once said that “Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” God sees the tree in all of us, His very own creation.

It is not unusual in our society to witness frequent examples of character assassination. You need to look no further than the personal attacks on the lives of our political candidates. It is evidenced daily in the tabloids and social media as defamations are displayed about public figures as well as common folk who might live right down the block. The Bible says:  “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers” (Proverbs 6:16-19). God builds character in our lives by allowing us to experience situations where we are tempted to do these things. It us when we choose to do otherwise that we grow in character and become more like Christ. Helen Keller once said that “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” Here’s to success then for that good reference.

REFLECTION:  What are those areas of your character that you need to work on?  Have you grown in your Christian life in those times when you were faced with trouble, heartache, conflict, disappointment, pain, or misunderstanding? As a result of those difficulties – are there ways that you feel your character was strengthened?  How is your character reflected in the ways you serve God?

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT., NOVEMBER 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)

DROWNING IN BUSY-NESS

“We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.”  (Psalm 39:6)

It turned out to be a much different day than I had anticipated.  It was light on schedule, almost a free one with only a single appointment arranged for late that afternoon.  A friend who was having outpatient surgery had turned down my offer of transportation, so I called an older friend to fulfill a promise I had made the week before. When I got his voicemail, I left a message. I now found myself with several hours of unplanned activity.  It was a beautiful autumn afternoon, and I knew that if no one or nothing else was waiting for me, the fallen leaves in my yard were certainly in need of attention.  So for an hour or so, I raked leaves and had some lunch. Then my friend who had surgery sent me a text and asked if we could go for a walk. The older friend to whom I had made that promise retuned my call and indicated he would be free later to get together.  I completed a quick errand to the grocery story, and ran into someone else who wanted to talk. A relative reached out for my help with a small emergency, and suddenly my unscheduled day was filled with busyness. It happens to all of us from time to time, as we allow our days to become consumed with self-imposed schedules which can become suffocating.

There is nothing wrong with being busy, but how we prioritize our ‘busy-ness’ will determine our life journey outcomes. In our society, busyness has become somewhat of a status symbol. After all, the busier we are – the more important we seem to be. Or so some would think. While our busyness often begins with good intentions, we can become addicted to our routines, and the search for the joys of life become the burdens of our existence. When I once tried to explain to a friend why I hadn’t been in touch, I will always remember his response. It was simply, “We make time in our lives for the things that are important.” I think his words were wise. That conversation took place years before our default mode became reduced to technology’s social media platforms.  I hate to think what his comeback might be in today’s world when human contact is sometimes limited to a post or a tweet.

Jesus counseled that it is where and on what we spend our time that speaks volumes about who we are. “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42).  I think Jesus would tell us that true spirituality is about having real human connections, something which can easily escape us in a world where we have allowed true listening to be reduced to sound bites.

God’s Word places high value on rest and tranquil living. Much of the time, we become like Martha losing sight of those things that are really important.  We rush around chasing our tails and miss the blessings that the Lord has provided all around us. In reality, we learn much more in those calm, restful periods than we ever will in those times when our bodies and minds are on overload. The Lord spoke clearly about this: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).  So the next time you feel troubled with the tasks of the day, and clearing your schedule for a few hours seems to be all but impossible – just learn to listen for these words: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).  It is when we permit those times of serenity to occur that God reveals Himself to us. Allow yourself to dwell in the Savior’s presence and let Him teach you how to follow in Mary’s example: to choose what it is better. For when you do so – you will not just experience that peace that passes all understanding . . . but you will have Him forever as your Guide.

REFLECTION: What are those tasks ahead of you this day that will make you feel like you are drowning under the pressures of life?  How might the words reflected in Matthew 6:33-34 provide a new vision?

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT., NOVEMBER 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)