Monthly Archives: May 2019

ULTIMATE SACRIFICES

“This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations . . .” (Exodus 12:14)

The word sacrifice can be defined in many ways. When a major league baseball player gets called out but is able to advance a base runner from his own team, the play is called a sacrifice.  Parents who give up their own individual desires in order that their children receive what they need in life are sacrificing as well. And, yes – men and women who join the armed services do so with the knowledge that someday they might be placed in danger and the ultimate sacrifice of their life may become a reality.  Those who do so deserve to be remembered, and that is the essence of the Memorial Day celebration. For far too many of us, the annual holiday is merely the beginning of summer and perhaps the first outdoor swim, picnic, or camping retreat. However, to the war veteran and the families of fallen soldiers, Memorial Day carries a significance so deep that words cannot express their emotions.

Part of our struggle to understand the fallen soldier comes with our difficulty in accepting sacrifice, especially when those sacrifices seem so final and appear to hold no obvious reward. In this land of opportunity, we spend so much of our time trying to acquire or win. Contemplating that someone might personally give their life for something greater than themselves can be confusing if not unfathomable for many who have grown to become self-centered. It would not be surprising if the spirit of Memorial Day could soon be forgotten. These days, attempts to erase the significance of historical events has become too easy, as we deem the sacrifices and the manner in which they were attained to be no longer politically correct. Perhaps Franklin D. Roosevelt’s sentiment was insightful when he stated: “Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.”

Through the years, Memorial Day has held a tradition for decorating the graves of our veterans with flags or taking flowers to be placed near the tombstones of family members as an act of remembrance.  If you have spent any time visiting a cemetery, you may have found it curious to look there for the oldest markers or to pause and read the epitaphs inscribed on them.  In the Book of Acts, these words have come to be regarded as an epitaph to David: “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep . . .” (Acts 13:36).  The essence of a servant is that they do the will of another, and David was one of the most devout servants ever. His life-long choice to be within the will of God was why God rewarded him so highly. We can almost hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23) when we think of David.

Throughout history, memorials have been important to every nation. They not only help us remember the past, but they also encourage us to look with hope toward the future. In the Old Testament after Israel crossed the Jordan River, Almighty God told Joshua to take 12 stones from the riverbed and set up a memorial so no one would ever forget God’s miraculous deliverance. Joshua said, ” We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ . . . “These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever” (Joshua 4:6-7). As followers of Jesus, we look to Christ’s death on the cross to recall the terrible price He paid in full for our sins. Each time we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, we personalize Jesus’ sacrifice for our salvation. His very words remind us that “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). The Apostle Paul wanted us to appreciate the love of Christ and the meaning of His ultimate sacrifice when he stated, ‘May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully” (Ephesians 3:19). Though it might be difficult at times to grasp, we should allow the Memorial Day remembrance and the sacrament of Holy Communion to profoundly demonstrate the ultimate sacrifices made for you and me. They should be received by each of us with great appreciation and deep humility.

REFLECTION: When people reminisce about your life in years to come, what would you like them to remember? How would you summarize your earthly journey in a few words for an epitaph on your tombstone? If God sent down an order to write out an inscription to the monument company—what would He say? Would His words include anything about your being a faithful servant or living a life of sacrifice?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JUNE 1, 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

JUST SHOW UP

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

My mother often told the story of her mother’s way of reaching out to others.  When my grandmother heard about someone at the other end of the street who was going through a tough time, she would reach out to these neighbors who, in some cases, she barely knew.  If someone lost their job or if the family was struggling in some way, she might make an extra kettle of soup and see that it was delivered to them. It was not untypical in those days that when you heard of someone who had a need, you would just show up. Unfortunately, that principle escapes us today as it would not be customary to do so. In fact, it probably wouldn’t even cross our mind. Feeling a sense of commitment is not valued or stressed like it once was. At one time, one would be recognized for perfect attendance at school or work. Now  any level of expectation for the same behavior would be unusual.  I cannot tell you how many times I have scheduled job interviews for applicants who were a ‘no show’. Persons who decide to just ‘wing it’ regarding employment have little chance of being sensitive in reaching out to others who are in need.

For twenty-one seasons, baseball legend Cal Ripken, Jr. took the field day in and day out, through all kinds of weather to play in more than 3,000 games for the Baltimore Orioles. The revered shortstop helped to lead his team to victory in the 1983 World Series. On September 6, 1995, Ripken broke Lou Gehrig’s formerly unsurpassed fifty-six-year-old record, setting a new mark of 2,131 consecutive games. He then went on to play an additional 501 without a break. Throughout his career, Ripken was admired for his consistency, hard work, and loyalty. In his inspirational book, Just Show Up, he claims that simply being there builds good character not only in sports but also establishes an important life practice. He says that “winging it does not sustain success.” Instead he has always subscribed to an old-fashioned sense of doing what was right, every single day. No doubt he would agree with the Biblical principle, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them (James 4:17).

Famous people like Ripken may have an impact on our thinking, but we must put this mental motivation into personal practice.  For those who are Christian, we need to model our actions to imitate what Jesus would do.  Consider the emotional state of His followers following His death and how they must have felt when He showed up following His resurrection. “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you’” (John 20:19-21).  When Jesus shows up, everything is different. Jesus shows up when things seem hopeless. Secondly, He shows up because he understands the struggles we are facing. Third, but certainly not last in significance – Jesus shows up because he cares, and He wants us to demonstrate that sense of caring to others. The Apostle Paul stated it this way – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2), “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God” (Hebrews 13:16).

So, do that thing you know to be right.  Make the call, bake that casserole, send that card, ring that doorbell, or put some cash in an envelope and send it anonymously . . . reach out in a way that will be practical for you as the giver but also able to be delivered in a spirit that will be comfortable for the receiver as well. If you know someone is hurting and they need to experience the love of Jesus, don’t sit back and do nothing because you are uncomfortable or think someone else will.  Get over it, my friend. It’s what Christ would have you do.  By all means . . . when you feel that nudge, you can be certain He is prompting you that it’s time to move forward and just show up.

REFLECTION: When is the last time someone showed up to help you through a difficult time? Can you recall knowing of a need and later feeling guilty for not helping to fill it? Consider someone who you know could benefit from your reaching out to them?  Develop a plan to act on this prompting. Is there a way that you could effectively involve others, or would it be best done alone?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., MAY 25, 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

BECOMING A COMPLETE PERSON

“May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:19)

In modern society, the concepts of self-image, self-esteem and self-love have become hot topics and the subject of much discussion. It is not unusual to find expressions of low self-worth, like the one that recently appeared in an advice column. A woman stating that she has won various academic awards and holds three degrees wrote the following: “I am now 48, the mother of two children with special needs. I have spent most of my life being their caregiver and a full-time homemaker. I feel disappointed somehow, as though I wasted my talent. I don’t know how to describe it. I feel as though I was given this talent and I didn’t use it to the fullest. Do I have a responsibility to use my gifts?”  It was signed, “Really Not Conceited.” The response: “You haven’t let anyone down. You’ve raised two kids and made a loving home. So please stop beating yourself up for not having pursued all of your dreams yet . . . It’s about honoring the part of yourself that wants to shine more light onto the world. . . You won’t be satisfied until you do.” My first reaction to this letter was that the lady who penned it was very selfish. A woman who has been given the gift of two children (even if they do have special needs) should be grateful for the blessing of motherhood. I am not sure the columnist helps her, as she concludes that she really needs to continue to find herself and be all she can be.

Someone once wrote: “My mother gave me life and never asked for anything in return. That is her secret you know, always giving without any expectations. She is as constant as the sunrise, the moon, the stars, and I count on her. She helps me find my way through the years and makes me laugh while doing it. There are some things only a mother can do.” I wish I knew that ‘someone’ because I agree with her. When it comes to being a good mother, degrees and academic awards don’t matter. One of the Jesus’ chosen understood this when he wrote: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10). This passage certainly encourages us to use our God-given gifts to His glory. Anyone who feels that they have existed as “just a mother and a housewife” is simply missing the point. The Apostle Paul encouraged us to “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10). For him – that was the be all and end all of finding true happiness while serving God.

The problem is that we are living in a day in which we have become lovers of self. Our society has grown to be fixated on words like self-actualization and self-fulfillment. When we do this, we are practicing self-centeredness. As we strive to lift ourselves up, we fail to exalt God and His plan regarding who we are. While it is always important to utilize our abilities and talents, we must keep in mind who provided those in the first place. We must affirm: “It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5).  Mature believers in Christ know who they are, why they are here, where their strength lies, where they are going, and look forward to their ultimate destiny and reward. When they achieve this level of understanding – they will no longer be dependent on man’s standards for success, the response of others for their happiness, or the need to satisfy any craving for a personal sense of identity. When we comprehend and accept by faith the value God places on our lives, we will find fulfillment like never before.  Therefore, “Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us” (Romans 12:3). Then and only then will we even come close to following what He had in mind for us all along . . . that of becoming a complete person.

REFLECTION: Describe in your own words the biblical concept of your self-image.  How does this differ from your actual self-image?  In what areas of your life do you use incorrect standards as a measurement of your effectiveness and success? Do you live daily with an ongoing confidence of God’s love for you? Do you demonstrate it to those around you by your attitude of hopeful living? How might you apply the words of the psalmist who said, “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever” (Psalm 16:11) to help a struggling mother?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., MAY 18, 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

 

THE WHOLE NINE YARDS

“A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.” (Proverbs 28:25)

As I was conversing with my neighbor, he was telling me about all the outdoor improvement projects he had planned for the warm weather months.  He concluded by stating, “We’re going for the whole nine yards.”  It was an expression I had not heard for some time, and it got me to reflecting about what that phrase meant years ago, contrasted with what some might interpret it to mean today.  Back when, those who said it basically meant they wanted everything that was coming to them, and they were willing to work hard to get it. Compare that with today’s prevailing attitude that we “want it all, and we expect it for little or no effort.” Back then, we wanted everything that went with the meal which we had undoubtedly paid for.  Nowadays, the expectation is that the meal will be provided for little or no cost. This boldness is pervasive throughout our society, and it is only heightened by the rhetoric of our politicians who promise all kinds of free stuff. But those of us who have been around for a little while remember and believe in the once popularized phrase – “There is no such thing as a free lunch.”

More often than not, the more we get . . . the more we want. We have become a culture of gluttony that refuses to be satisfied. The subjects of money and greed are discussed throughout God’s Holy Word.  In fact, Jesus talked about this issue more than any other, except for the Kingdom of God.  Greed is a strong and selfish desire to have more of something. Jesus warned, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15) in his illustration if the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21). Money or wealth is of itself not a problem, but rather – it is our attitude toward it. When we place our confidence in wealth or are consumed by an insatiable desire for more, it is usually accompanied by failing to give God the glory for all of His provisions. Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His day when He stated: “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence!” (Matthew 23:25). Jesus also mentioned a long list of sins, including “deeds of coveting,” which He says come from our hearts (Mark 7:21-22).  So greed is not necessarily defined by amount, but rather by our attitude and motives. This would imply that even those who are poor can become subject to greed just like those who are rich.

The story is told of a financier who was visited by an angel who said he would grant him one wish. The businessman asked for a copy of the financial news one year in advance. As he was greedily scanning the stock prices and drooling over the profit he would make on his investments, his eye glanced across the page to the obituaries where he saw his own name. Suddenly his earthly wealth didn’t matter quite so much. This example begs the question: If you knew that you were to die in one year, would you do anything different in the management of your resources? Greed places a false value on temporal things, treating them as though we will be here forever. But we could die today, or all of our ‘stuff’ could instantly be taken from us as a result of some tragic event. One of the wise authors in the Old Testament wrote that “some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give” (Proverbs 21:26). In his day, John D. Rockefeller, Sr. became one of the richest persons in the world. Rockefeller also had a deep sense of God-given responsibility for the generous use of his wealth to improve life for others. But according to legend when asked the question, “How much is enough?”, he replied, “Just a little more.” Each of us make greedy choices from time to time, but it can become far-too-easy to become complacent with our own lack of effort to personally define what is truly ‘enough’ in our own lives. When we become fixated on storing up treasures on earth instead of in heaven, when we shrug off our own greed by comparing ourselves with those who are richer than we . . . we might want to take a step back and ask how eternally happy we would be even if we are fortunate to somehow achieve the whole nine yards.

REFLECTION: How much do you mourn the loss of money and things?  What can you begin to accumulate less of today? In what areas of your life do you have to work especially hard at controlling your appetite for material possessions? In light of eternity and the brevity and uncertainty of this life, dare to ask the question – “Am I managing what God has entrusted to me so as to be rich toward God?”

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., MAY 11, 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.