Monthly Archives: June 2019

LIFE HANGING IN THE BALANCE

“A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight.” (Proverbs 11:1)

When 24 Republican congressmen gathered in Alexandria, Virginia around 6:30 a.m. on June 14, 2017 to practice for their annual Congressional Charity Baseball Game, little did they know that their lives were hanging in the balance. The team had been practicing for about a half-hour that day when a man who had posted online about hating conservatives began shooting at his directed targets. The injured included a congressional aide, a lobbyist, a police officer, and Representative Steve Scalise. Several witnesses said their lives were saved by the presence of the Capitol Police, who were there because of Scalise’s position as the House Majority Whip. They were able to immediately engage the shooter, keep him pinned down, and prevent him from continuing to fire on the unarmed baseball players. When the shooting began, Scalise said he simply started to pray. “It was amazing how that removed so much of the anxiety and all of a sudden I was calm, and I knew that God was taking care of me, and boy did he ever.” The attack drew a bipartisan response, and the game was played as scheduled the following day.

The phrase “hanging in the balance” is often used to describe situations where those involved are about to experience an uncertain future. It can be applied to groups of persons who are facing potential life-threatening situations, such as the 33 Chilean men who were trapped underground in a collapsed mine in 2010 before they were rescued 69 days later. Or it can certainly apply to individuals who are about to escape the fate of certain death. On December 18, 1867, 28-year-old John D. Rockefeller, an entrepreneur widely known in Cleveland and the oil refining industry was about to make a quick business trip to New York City to check on his East Coast operations.  He got an unusually delayed start that morning, so he sent his bags ahead of him. Hours later, Rockefeller pulled into Cleveland’s Union Station just a few minutes too late. His bags made the train but he didn’t . . . and it saved his life. By missing the Lake Shore Express that morning, Rockefeller escaped one of the worst railroad accidents in 19th-century America. As a latecomer to the Cleveland station, he would have sat in the end car which jumped the track while crossing over a high railroad bridge in the western New York and fell into an icy gorge below.  Rockefeller came across the scene himself when the later train he had taken was forced to stop because of the wreck. He immediately telegraphed his wife stating, “Thank God I am unharmed; the six forty train I missed had bad accident.” In fact, nearly fifty persons died in the incident that fateful day.

We hear about situations like this all the time. But it never happens to us . . . until it does! So, what do we do then? How are we to face that potentially perilous situation lurking right around the corner? The Christian’s perspective to having a balanced life begins by examining our relationship with God. The closer you walk with God, the more faith you have that He will help you through the toughest times. Moses warned of the curses that would fall upon those who distanced themselves from God’s laws: “Your life will constantly hang in the balance. You will live night and day in fear, unsure if you will survive” (Deuteronomy 28:66).  For those who are making their life journey with Jesus by their side, the answer for balancing life’s uncertainties doesn’t have to be worrisome or overwhelming.   Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Knowing someone is always there and who understands what we are going through is a major component in the process of getting one’s life in balance. As your life becomes more in synch with God, you will realize that even in times of struggle your life will remain in balance when your focus remains on Him. We learn that our first instinct should be to call on God, just as Representative Scalise did when he was shot.  We come to understand that our Lord and Savior has not only promised an abundant life but also an everlasting one. “He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Far too often we allow ourselves to become so distraught that our story becomes like a cliff-hanger in the drama of a season finale. We end up wondering if we will survive to continue playing our role into another season.  If you are right with God, no matter what happens in this lifetime, you can be assured that you will not be written out of the script. You should never have to feel that your life is simply hanging in the balance. That’s security that only He alone can provide.

REFLECTION:  How close are you to God?  Do you seek His wisdom often or are you trying to go through life on your own? What specific steps should you take to know that your life is not hanging in the balance?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JULY  6, 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

IF YOU MUST . . . USE SOAP

“Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips.” (Psalm 141:3)

There was a day when many will remember that the use of a cuss word would immediately invoke the image of one’s mother holding a bar of soap. Claiming that she would wash out your mouth if she ever heard it again – it was more of a threat than actual practice.  Today it would likely be viewed as old-fashioned, an infringement of free-speech, or at the very least, an improper way to raise one’s child. It has become increasingly difficult to monitor the use of offensive words when, in reality, their common usage is pervasive. Social media has gone so far as to give profane expressions code abbreviations, so that users can apply the language without having to speak it. Whenever profanity is spoken around children or vocalized in the midst of those who might become offended, there occasionally will be someone who will voice the warning exclamation, “Language!” Perhaps then, those who are speaking will tone it down a bit. But what can you do when you walk by someone on their cellphone in the grocery store employing curse words that are obviously part of their everyday conversation?

Recently I had the experience of subscribing to a streaming app, because I wanted to view new episodes of a cancelled drama I had previously enjoyed on network TV. I got part way into the third episode and decided I just couldn’t watch anymore.  I don’t consider myself to be prudish, but the abundant use of vulgarities was just too over-the-top.  If this is how the dramatic series was going to survive, then they would have to do so without my viewership.  I wondered if there had been script concerns expressed by any of the actors who’d been involved in both productions. It most likely didn’t matter, since either way, it was money in their pocket. Writers will contend that use of this crude language makes their creation more realistic, arguing that the portrayal reflects how people normally express themselves.  For those of us who don’t want to share in this reality, they maintain that we have been given content warnings in order to make an informed decision to watch or not. My answer would be “not”.

Who among us has not articulated a few choice words after we have stubbed our toe or perhaps bitten our lip to prevent what might now days be interpreted as road rage after someone cuts us off in traffic? Cursing another person may take many forms. While it can be as demonstrative as using vulgar and unmistakable hand gestures out of a car window, it can be as inoffensive as mumbling what might be considered an inappropriate reference under our breath. Cursing is so commonplace that it shouldn’t surprise us that it seems to be built right into the emotional part of our brain. This is a cautionary challenge for we who are followers of Christ. If we rein in those emotions, then perhaps we’ll no longer need to use the “colorful metaphors”. Paul would warn us: “But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language” (Colossians 3:8). God’s Word further tells us, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).

There are varied arguments that have been lifted about cursing.  Some say that people who do so have a limited vocabulary and just don’t know any better.  That argument doesn’t hold water, since many individuals who utilize expletives as part of their everyday language are very well-educated.  Others claim that it’s all based on perception. The Christian, then, is left to answer the question – is cursing or swearing a sin? James had a lot to say on the issue: “If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless” (James 1:26). He continues: “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be” (James 3:9-10). When all is said and done, Jesus makes it quite clear – “It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth” (Matthew 15:11). When we risk that our very light in the world is in danger of being extinguished, then we also risk that no one will come to see Jesus in us. So a word to the wise – clean up your act. If you must . . . use soap.

REFLECTION: Before you allow yourself to be placed in a situation where you will curse or be exposed to swearing, ask the following: Will this be beneficial to those who hear, or will it draw them away from Christ? Does my everyday speech show proper respect and reflect my true relationship with Him?

REFLECTION: Before you allow yourself to be placed in a situation where you will curse or be exposed to swearing, ask the following: Will this be beneficial to those who hear, or will it draw them away from Christ? Does my everyday speech show proper respect and reflect my true relationship with Him?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JUNE 29, 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

I JUST WANTED TO HEAR IT AGAIN

And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”  (2 Corinthians 6:18)

We have an ongoing joke in our family. When someone says, “I love you” – the other person replies “What?” It’s an imitation of the commercial. You know the one. An older gentleman and his adult son appear to be doing woodworking. The son looks over at his father and affectionately says “I love you, Dad” to which the father replies, “What?”  This happens a second time. The camera moves to the father who tells his story about how he has pulled away from others due to his hearing problem. But he refuses to spend what he considers to be a ridiculous amount of money for a hearing aid.  Then he introduces an alternative at a much lower price. Eventually we see the two of them back in the shop assuming the father has his new hearing device in place. The scene repeats itself with the son saying to his father, “I love you, Dad” to which the father again replies “What?”  Then he smiles, looks up at his son and says, “I heard you the first time. I just wanted to hear it again.”

As we celebrate another Father’s Day, we should take that opportunity to tell our earthly fathers that we love them.  We can think it, gift it, feel it, demonstrate it and talk our way around it. But, bottom line, we need to say the words out loud. We shouldn’t wait another day, because we don’t know how long our earthly fathers will be around. Many have already lost their fathers, perhaps never knew them, or simply didn’t have a healthy connection with one. However, each of us has the opportunity to grow into a relationship with our Heavenly Father. You were created as an object of God’s love, and even those who turn from Him come to recognize that connection.  “Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isaiah 64:8). That means that you were created for the purpose of having a relationship with Him and, as a result, the most important thing you can know in life is the assurance of His steadfast love. Pastor Rick Warren says, “Everything else will change during your lifetime, but God’s love for you is constant, steady, and continuous. It’s the foundation for unshakable confidence.” Accordingly, you can add great significance in your walk with your Heavenly Father by just demonstrating your love for Him. That should include telling Him so.

It is God’s wish for you to lean into Him just as you once were able to lean into your father’s arms. And even if you missed out on that, He is the perfect example of what a Father should be. He wants to be one in every aspect of our lives, if we will only let Him. God will never abandon us or leave us for orphans (John 14:18), He will be with us to guide, help, and protect us through whatever life brings our way. Jesus was once asked which was the greatest commandment in the law? This was His answer: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” He said that this is the first and greatest commandment but that a second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39). There’s a reason why Jesus said that the second greatest commandment was like the first: if we love God with all our heart, loving our neighbor will naturally follow. The scriptures tell us, “We love each other because he loved us first” (1 John 4:19). The most loving thing we can do for others is love God more than we love them. For if we love God most, we will love others best.

So what does a relationship with God look like? Well, that is going to be different for each person. Just as our associations with people differ, each of us will have our own unique relationship with God because of our varied personalities. Remember that every relationship is based on trust, and that same principal applies to God (Psalm 84:12). The more you know Him and trust Him, the more intimate your relationship will be. He adores you. It would be a meaningful act of personal worship if you would simply tell Him that you love Him. If you do this, you can almost see His arms outstretched and a voice from heaven affirming . . . “I just wanted to hear it again.”

REFLECTION: If I tell God that I love Him and desire to keep His commands but fail to spend time with Him, how might you expect Hm to feel?  What do you know about God that makes Him the perfect father? How does knowing this affect your choices and your actions? How might a daily verbal expression to God telling Him that you love Him begin to change your day?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JUNE 22, 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

FINDING PERFECT PEACE

“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14).

As I took my daily walk around the local park, it suddenly occurred to me that something was not quite right. Then I realized that the normally tranquil path which is usually populated with squirrels, chipmunks and ducks by the creek had, on this day, been occupied with noise all around me. There was power equipment from the conservation corps who were clearing brush and sawing up dead tree limbs. Somewhere in the distance was a mower, and there were numerous sirens from emergency service personnel rushing by on the upper road responding to their latest crisis.  Their alarms had caused dogs from houses across the creek to bark and make their presence known. It was not a time for a peaceful walk, at least not on this day in this area of town.

Then I paused and felt a little guilty, realizing that there are those who seldom have the opportunity to find an escape to any form of quietude. It was just a day or so later that I appreciated the fact that lasting peace is often relevant to our world situation. It happened to be June 6, and across the globe many were remembering the Allied invasion of Normandy, France . . . often referred to as D-Day. In 1944, much of Europe had been occupied by the German Nazi forces of Adolf Hitler. It took months for the largest seaborne invasion in history to once-again free these nations. The Normandy invasion began to turn the tide, and the war was formally ended the following spring after millions had lost their lives. In the aftermath of the deadliest military conflict ever witnessed, nations regained their sovereignty and peace was restored. It raises the question – if peace is the absence of war, then what is true peace? The Old Testament prophet put it this way, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3).

While peace hopefully returns to nations following years of conflict and great human sacrifice, most boroughs and municipalities find it necessary to hire folks who maintain the peace. These include any person who works in the public-sector and is given the responsibility to uphold the laws of the land. Examples are customs officials, police officers, sheriffs, constables, deputies, and correction officers who enforce the regulations that support peace in our towns, neighborhoods, and occasionally within our own households. There are those who go through life never finding peace in their personal lives, and they sometimes create less than peaceful situations for their families. They could learn from the wisdom shared in God’s Word: “Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict” (Proverbs 17:1). Many individuals spend much time and energy searching to find fulfillment. Far too often, they never come to understand that the real way to happiness and a good life is only through finding one’s own personal peace.

True peace can only come from God who grants His children a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). This peace doesn’t affect our surroundings; rather it touches our inner souls. Paul affirmed that it will go deep into our hearts and minds and that it will unite all parties as one. Referring specifically to the Gentiles and Jews, he stated – “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14). If you have His peace, then you can start solving the conflict around you. As followers of Jesus, we should be the ones looked to when others need peace. Not necessarily because our surroundings are peaceful, but because our hearts and minds are at peace with God. Jesus said, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27). It is possible to experience God’s peace, for when we learn to cast our cares on Him – faith will replace fear and discontent. Living a peace-filled life comes down to a choice to follow Him or not. For, you see, He alone is the only officer who can maintain perfect peace . . . all others will fail in comparison.

REFLECTION: Where does your peace come from? What is the inevitable result of peace made based on external conditions? How would you go about encouraging others who seem to always have a stressed life and find it seemingly impossible to find an inner peace?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JUNE 15, 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

ONE OF A KIND

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,        I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14)

At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where the famous ‘Indy 500’ is held each May, there is permanent seating for more than 257,000 people and additional infield seating that raises capacity to approximately 400,000. When you think about this venue being filled, consider that there are no two persons who have ever attended there who are alike. Indeed, there are no two people in history who have been exactly the same. Our Creator has made us to be one of kind. We’re the crowning beauty, the highest of everything God made; the first and the best of His creatures (James 1:18). That alone should make us feel really special. When Oliver Wendell Holmes was in his 80th year, a friend greeted him and asked, “How are you?” “I’m fine,” said Holmes, “the house I live in is tottering and crumbling, but Oliver Wendell Holmes is fine, thank you.” In this materialistic age when most of us spend a great deal of time trying to be like everyone else – we often forget that the real, enduring part of us that makes us unique is fixed more on our spirit than our physicality.

Throughout the Bible, we learn the stories of very unique individuals. We discover people such as King David – a man of great spiritual depth and understanding, yet also one of fiery human passion and imperfection. He was one of a kind who came to be remembered as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). In God’s Holy Word you can also meet Saul of Tarsus who was dedicated to persecuting the early followers of Jesus. Ironically, Paul (as He is later known) becomes one of the faithful after an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus following His resurrection. The Lord chose Paul to proclaim His name to both Gentiles and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15) and to speak against the conformity of this world (Romans 12:2). The New Testament would be significantly shorter, if it was not for his transformation to become one of a kind. In the scriptures are stories too of others who are lesser known. There you will find a woman who anointed Jesus by pouring expensive perfume over His head (Matthew 26:7).  After a disciple chastened her for wasting it, saying it could have been sold to help the poor – Jesus said, “wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” (Matthew 26:13).  She was one of a kind, and Jesus said she would never be forgotten.

It’s that time of year when graduates will be hearing all kinds of speeches from famous and accomplished persons.  Most graduates are interested in hearing some form of inspirational message, but many speakers will fail to deliver and focus on their own agenda.  The best of them will challenge the alumni to grow into their own uniqueness and exercise their God-given abilities to make the world a better place. Perhaps someone will quote Charles Spurgeon who said, “Character is always lost when a high ideal is sacrificed on the altar of conformity and popularity.” Maybe a few will dare to cite references of faith by stating: “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well . . .” (Romans 12:6) and “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). While these words specify spiritual gifts, they can also provide wise-counsel that we should sensibly utilize all of the talents with which God has blessed us.

So many unique individuals will come and go during the course of one’s lifetime: sports figures, actors, politicians and explorers, some of whom went to the moon and back. The ones who gained notoriety did so because of their uniqueness. Someone said that in life we become either an imitator or an innovator.  Persons who stand out are not those who cater to conformity, but rather it is the person who allows their distinctiveness to shine who will be remembered. Followers of the Christian faith come to understand that we will truly be happy only when we give ourselves the freedom to express our uniqueness as a contribution to God’s plan. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).  God made you for glory and excellence, so He could manifest His beauty, grace, and righteousness through you. Go forth then and celebrate that you are unique. In fact, you will be just what He intended when you allow yourself to become one of a kind.

REFLECTION: Do you remember certain periods of your life that you felt a sense of enforced conformity? In what ways can you challenge yourself and those you love to practice their uniqueness for God?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JUNE 8, 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.