Monthly Archives: September 2017

TAKING A STAND

                “They are to stand every morning to thank and to praise the LORD,                         and likewise at evening . . . ”   (1 Chronicles 23:30)

A friend of mine was sharing an experience she had during a visit with her daughter and son-in-law. While she was there, her young grandson had a friend over to their home. When the grandmother (my friend) walked into the room where they were engaged in activity – the boy promptly stood up, held out his hand, and introduced himself. She related that she couldn’t have been more impressed with the manners this child demonstrated at such a young age. It seems like it should be simple enough to know when it’s polite for us to stand as we greet or say goodbye to someone. Although it was once an instinctive act, changing social norms and rapidly disintegrating signs of respect can often times keep one guessing. Standing when someone comes into your circle sends a signal that you are eager to receive the other person. It demonstrates in a non-verbal way that you’ve noticed them, and they are worth your effort to rise from a place of comfort to welcome them.

On occasion, failure to stand has become politicized at public events during patriotic ceremonies. In an attempt to show discord with leadership or express unrest with how someone may have been treated, those who possess some degree of fame or notoriety have at times chosen to display their discontent.  In the United States, it has been tradition to stand for the presentation of the National Anthem.  The Anthem symbolizes a unification of the citizenry around the values of the flag, the country’s freedoms, and those who gave their life so that others might continue to benefit from those liberties. It is a rather basic sign of respect, and it has nothing to do with persons in power or their political positions which may in fact differ from one’s own. There is an irony in this type of demonstration by those who have gained much and profited from the nation’s resources. It is not unlike those who disregard standing in recognition of the very God who has created and provides for them.

The concept of standing is an inherent part of the Christian tradition as well.  In the very first book of The Bible, we read, “Now Abraham arose early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before the LORD” (Genesis 19:27). When the Lord spoke to Moses, He said – “Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock” (Exodus 33:21). When the prophet Ezekiel received his call, God said, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you” (Ezekiel 2:1). On a visit to Solomon from the Queen of Sheba, she spoke these words: “How blessed are your men, how blessed are these your servants who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom” (1 Kings 10:8).  In fact, when Jesus was brought before Pilate in His final hours, He also stood (Matthew 27:11). Additionally, the songs of the church make frequent references to standing. They include the more traditional hymns “Standing on the Promises” and Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” as well as the contemporary chorus, “We Are Standing on Holy Ground.”

While nowhere in scripture are we commanded to specifically pay tribute to a patriotic song or salute a national flag, the Bible is clear that we should submit ourselves “for the Lord’s sake to every human authority . . .  who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right” (1 Peter 2:13-14). To refuse to participate in showing respect for the nation appears arrogant, disrespectful to its heritage, and contrary to God’s teaching. While it may succeed in stirring up controversy, it quite often calls attention to individual persons rather than a cause. The Bible says a house divided against itself cannot stand (Mark 3:25). When we all stand, it’s a reminder that we are still ‘one nation under God.’ In the last stanza of The Star-Spangled Banner, Frances Scott Key penned these words – Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand.” The Lord wants us all to take a stand for Him in this intimidating world. It’s much easier to do that when we remain free in order to make that stand.

REFLECTION: How do we know when to take a bold stand and when to be more tactful and polite? What are some Christlike ways to express concerns and motivate change which focus attention on the issue rather than the individual?  Are there ways God might bless a legitimate place for compromise?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., OCTOBER 7, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED

COULD IT BE . . . SATAN?

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

In the Golden Age of Television, actor Flip Wilson kept America in stitches with his characters “Reverend Leroy,” the pompous pastor of the ‘Church of What’s Happening Now,’ and “Geraldine Jones,’ the sassy lady in a miniskirt. Whenever Geraldine would impulsively buy anything she shouldn’t — she excused her urge by uttering the line she made famous, “The Devil made me do it!” Only a few decades after Flip Wilson’s character first appeared, ‘The Church Lady’ burst onto the scene. Created and played by comedian Dana Carvey – The Church Lady was a pious host of her own talk show, a recurring sketch on Saturday Night Live.  The interviews presented an opportunity for her to call out celebrity guests or portrayals of public figures for their alleged sins, frequently in the news. In each case, the interviews culminated with her judgmental reprimand posing the question, “Could it be . . . Satan?”

These days, it doesn’t take a very astute observer to see that the devil is alive and well. Although, in today’s world – it’s far from a joking matter. The following analogy appeared in a December, 1992 article from the devotional, Our Daily Bread. “In the Australian bush country grows a little plant called the ‘sundew.’ It has a slender stem and tiny, round leaves fringed with hairs that glisten with bright drops of liquid as delicate as fine dew. Woe to the insect, however, that dares to dance on it. Although its attractive clusters of red, white, and pink blossoms are harmless, the leaves are deadly. The shiny moisture on each leaf is sticky and will imprison any bug that touches it. As an insect struggles to free itself, the vibration causes the leaves to close tightly around it. This innocent-looking plant then feeds on its victim.”  This is exactly what happens to us when we dare to dance with the devil, who has been referred to by some as the ‘great deceiver.’

The Bible tells us that there was a time when Jesus “was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him” (Mark 1:13). On three different occasions, the Devil wanted to take control of Him, but Jesus knew exactly how to handle the situation. “”Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him” (Matthew 4:10). There are times in our lives when we must do exactly what Jesus did. Paul understood this and provided this instruction: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11) for He never allows you to be tempted beyond your ability to withstand and always provides a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). In these situations, it may be helpful to recall the words of the powerful evangelist Billy Sunday: “Temptation is the devil looking through a keyhole. Yielding is opening the door and letting him in.”

Most of our society fails to accept personal blame when they fall into temptation. Public figures often misconstrue the details of their transgressions, and in our own life – it can become easy to make excuses for our personal wrongdoings. Sentiments like “the devil made me do it” are used far too often to justify our own bad choices. James 1:14 declares “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” James continues: “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). If you are a Christian and you commit a sin, the devil did not make you do it. He may have tempted you to do it. He may have even influenced you to do it. But he did not make you do it. You still had a choice. The devil is absolutely worthy of blame for much of the evil in the world, but using him as a scapegoat for our own sinful choices is counterproductive to achieving victory over sin. So the next time you feel tempted, you might want to carefully consider your situation and ask the question – Could it be Satan? For, yes – it very well could be!

REFLECTION: Are we being desensitized by the present evil world? Do things that once shocked us now pass us by with little notice? How can a Christian become more attune to the reality of a personal spiritual conflict? What are some ways you might grow wiser in understanding Satan’s schemes? Consider the words of Chuck Swindoll: “Where there is no temptation, there can be little claim to virtue.”

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., SEPTEMBER 30, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED

ABSOLUTE SELFLESSNESS

“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.” (Proverbs 3:27)

The story has been told of a young boy who had a sister with a rare, life-threatening illness not much older than himself.  Since the brother once had the same disease and developed antibodies, it was determined that a transfusion using the boy’s blood would be beneficial in helping his sister to recover. When the doctor explained the situation to the young child, he carefully assessed the brother’s willingness to participate. After processing what he had been told, he said, “Sure if it will keep my sister from dying.”  As the staff began to perform the transfusion, the boy rested in bed next to his sister. Thoughtfully looking up at the doctor, he spoke these words in a trembling voice – “Will I begin to die right away?”  Apparently through all of the detailed information, the boy thought he would have to give all of his blood thereby sacrificing his own life in the process. In his concern for helping someone whom he loved, he failed to understand that his own health would not be affected.  What a selfless act.

As we shed the innocence of childhood, we often become more selfish. At times, however, in the wake of a tragedy – there are some caring souls who surprise us. Florida resident Pam Brekke had spent days hunting a generator before 2017’s Hurricane Irma made landfall. For her, it wasn’t just a matter of convenience—it was a matter of life or death. Then she became aware that an area store had received a shipment of several hundred generators.  After driving over 30 miles to buy one, she took her place in line at the store to find that the person immediately ahead of her received the last one. Brekke started crying, thinking about returning home empty-handed to a father who would need oxygen if the power went out. But then, a random act of kindness. Without asking a single question, Ramon Santiago walked up to Brekke and handed her his generator. They hugged and Brekke thanked him for his act of kindness during such a trying time. She said, “God will bless that man.” Santiago later stated that he did “really believe that God played a role in all of this.” He affirmed what Paul wrote to the Church at Philippi: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13).

The story is told in two separate accounts of the New Testament about an observation made by Jesus in the Temple as “he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. ‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus said, ‘this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has” (Luke 21:1-4). According to Mark 12:41, “Many rich people put in large amounts,” so they were bound to be noticed by others. However, Jesus emphasized what no one else saw – the humble offering of a poor widow. The placement of her few coins was the gift that was noted in Heaven out of the many who gave that day. She was the one who had sacrificed. What she gave was very little in comparison, but her faith demonstrated confidence that God would use it.

Contrary to what our culture teaches, this life is not about us. It’s about Him. The choice we make between selfishness and selflessness has an effect on every part of who we are and how we view life.  In our self-focused society, it has become easy to justify that selfless acts are extreme and unnecessary. We then grow comfortable and accustomed to doing the bare minimum in order to make ourselves feel good. It is only when we realize that all we have comes from Him that we can learn to silence our selfish ways. In his devotional classic, My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers penned this thought: “We will never know the joy of self-sacrifice until we surrender in every detail of our lives.” Jesus is our example. “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less” (John 3:30). That is absolute selflessness. The boy, the man, and the widow each gave it a try . . . you can too!

REFLECTION: Do you consider others before you consider yourself, or do you often find yourself at the center of your own universe? When you woke up this morning, did you think about your day as belonging to you or to He who created you? Would you be willing to ask God to reveal and help you change areas of your life in which you are focused more on yourself than others?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., SEPTEMBER 23, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

SHADOWBOXING WITH YOUR REPUTATION

                                  “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,                                     and favor is better than silver or gold” (Proverbs 22:1).

As they pulled the old paneling from the partitions in the basement of their recently purchased home, the young couple discovered that many of the two-by-four boards which had supported those walls for many years had words penciled on them. Occasionally the words were singular in nature, but others were complete thoughts.  It’s as if they represented partial conversations. The obvious question was – why would someone write on that framing?  If the current occupants knew the history of the house, they just might be able to attach a name to the scriber of those words.  In researching the names of prior owners, they would find that they were written by a man who had the reputation of being an excellent carpenter. In his later years, he had lost his ability to speak. While helping to create living spaces in this, his son’s home – he would communicate by writing on the boards. Who would guess that in the ensuing years those very words would resurface as a mystery, easily solved if you only knew the person?

What’s so important about a name anyway? Does a name have value? Collectors of art will tell you that it does indeed. Even though there were past artists who rarely signed their work, its authenticity is identified by experts through detailed documentation. Like the house with the message on the wall boards, establishing the chain of ownership of a painting assists in the historical verification of its creator, thereby growing its value.  Even today, an artist’s name on a print can increase the price by two or more times. Couples sometimes struggle for weeks and even months to find just the right name for their newly anticipated arrival. There are others who take the simpler route of identifying their child as someone’s namesake. Two-time heavy weight world champion boxer George Foreman explained, “I named all my sons George Edward Foreman so they would always have something in common. I say to them, “If one of us goes up, then we all go up together, and if one goes down, we all go down together!”

Perhaps Foreman’s many years of boxing provided great lessons about maintaining a reputation. He would have understood and implemented the practice of shadowboxing in his daily workouts. The technique involves the fighter literally boxing his shadow for the purpose of training and strengthening his muscles. All this as he readies for the engagement of a competitor in an actual fight. The Apostle Paul used this analogy as He spoke about the Christian’s preparation for “the good fight” and ultimate path to victory (1 Timothy 6:12). He states it this way: “So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing” (1 Corinthians 9:26). Acknowledging that his reputation of persecuting Christians would always be under the microscope, he knew that he could not afford to waste his punches by utilizing a lot of time and energy simply beating the air. There would always be those who would remember his past and ask, “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” (Acts 9:21).

Every so often I am asked if I know someone to which I frequently reply, “I don’t know them well, but I know who they are.”  Sometimes the manner in which I know them has been tainted by an assumed reputation. It’s unfortunately true that what one does or says often burns an impression in another’s mind. Once an opinion is formulated, it is difficult to change or erase these imprints from one’s memory. The value others place on our name often reflects how sincere they think we are and can also have an effect on how they will interact with us. Knowing you for your true self is never an issue with God.  Not only does He know our name, but He knows everything about us. God knows our character, because He understands our intentions and our heart.  He knows our every thought, whether we express it out loud, decide to put it in a diary, or write it on a two-by-four.  Our name is a marker. It not only identifies who we are but also whose we are. Like Paul, we must stop shadowboxing and simply focus on Him.

REFLECTION: Do you focus more on what you have heard about someone (their reputation) or on what you have personally observed about them?  How much time do you spend on concerns about what others might think about you (your reputation)? Are there ways that you might be more intentional regarding God’s view (your character)?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., SEPTEMBER 16, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

WORKING GOD’S GARDEN

“You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.” (Psalm 128:2)

A neighbor of mine told me recently about a new piece of lawn equipment he had purchased. As he began to study the owner’s manual, he noticed that every page contained boldly highlighted sentences accentuated with one of two words – Warning or Danger. After reading the many cautionary notices, he said that initially he was somewhat intimidated to use his new device. Then he chuckled a little and stated that he also realized it was the company’s way of limiting their exposure to lawsuits. After all, if the risks were presented to the purchaser, then the manufacturer would have an argument that they made a good faith effort to “let the buyer beware.” His story reminded me of a case I was part of many years ago as I served on jury duty. The situation involved a worker who had become injured while performing normal job duties. The verdict rested on whether or not the employee had received adequate training and had properly applied that training to prevent the injury he had sustained.

One of the greatest warnings ever was issued by God to Adam. “The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the LORD God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden–except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die” (Genesis 2:15-17). A serpent tempts Eve, and through her, Adam, to eat from the tree of forbidden fruit. Because he disobeyed what God had commanded, God said: “By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return” (Genesis 3:19). Note that in both situations, God continues to provide. In Eden, He provided abundantly.  But when the earth was cursed (Genesis 3:17) following their temptation, they were banished from the Garden. Adam became forced to work the ground from which he had been taken.

Our relationship with Christ should be like a well-tended garden. We have to maintain a daily regime of weeding and watering in whatever labor God has set before us. Sometimes its tedious and tiring, but whatever our status in life – the work which God has placed before us is a gift. Whether we are a physicist or a janitor, a volunteer or a homemaker, a sitter for a young child or a caregiver to an older dependent person – the outcomes of your daily routine most likely benefit someone else. God would again caution us that whenever we are engaged in the task of helping others, we should do it to the best of our ability. Regardless of how menial we might feel about our work, we should never allow the weeds of life to choke out what He is doing for and through us. We should therefore rejoice that every day is Labor Day, and “work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Just like Adam and Eve in Eden, those who do not obey and are ungrateful for His provision will suffer from the consequences. When we are obedient and we choose to follow God’s warnings, we will find ourselves in the shelter of His love. Sadly, most of the warnings God sent through His prophets were disregarded, and millions suffered terrible consequences as a result. Bible prophecy indicates that our nations will not heed His warnings. “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you” (2 Timothy 4:3-5). Our ministry is that which God has set before us. We should regard it as a cherished gift and gratefully work His garden.

REFLECTION: Norman Vincent Peale once said – “Four things for success: work and pray, think and believe.” Can you apply his wisdom to address areas in your life which would enable you to be a more effective servant? In what ways might you ask God to be more sensitive to His warnings and guidance through your daily routine of work?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., SEPTEMBER 9, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.