“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”                        (2 Timothy 1:7)

My friend has often reminded me of the story of her son when he was just a child. One snowy evening as he sat next to her, he begged her to stay home from work the next day. She informed him that would not be possible because she had responsibilities, and her boss would expect her to be there. The youngster looked up and innocently asked if her boss was “the boss of the whole world.” Their interaction became a teaching moment about commitment. The mother did the right thing by modeling an image of accountability to her son at such an early age. Furthermore, her sense of loyalty turned the relationship with her manager into a life-long friendship. I would know, because I am “the boss” in the story. We smile together each time she repeats the tale. Over the years, employees like my friend have become more difficult to find. The values of our society have weakened the importance of dedication. Simply having an association with one’s employer does not always guarantee any form of devotion.

Unfortunately, the same is often true for persons of faith. They frequently live by the example of “one foot in the world and the other in Heaven.” It is pervasive in our society and is sometimes regrettably displayed by our community leaders. The issue of separation of Church and State placed city officials in a South Carolina town in a ‘no-win’ situation recently. A monument featuring a prayer for officers had been placed in front of the new police station by a women’s group. When a collection of local residents complained, representatives plastered over the word “Lord” so as to appease those in opposition. As a result, the community became divided over the modification of three references to “Lord” and city officials made a decision to remove the monument. While some stated that God and government must remain separated from religious references, others noted that the nation was founded by many who believed that America could not expect to be blessed if it failed to acknowledge and honor Almighty God. The latter would agree with the Apostle Paul who wrote: “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” (Romans 14:8).

In today’s world, people readily blame others for their lack of character and self-control. They often fault society, their parents, their boss, the government, or others in positions of authority. Not wanting to accept any personal responsibility for their own shortcomings, they seek to find a scapegoat. Followers of Christ have found a better answer, but they must be clear for what and who they stand. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels’” (Luke 12:8-9). Public acknowledgement of our Christian values can be difficult in a society where our greatest struggle in exercising self-control might be as simple as saying ‘no’ to another cookie, or as difficult as spending an additional half hour on Netflix or Facebook. If we face our Christian walk with a similar approach, we still have a lot to learn.

It is important to understand that self-control is a work of the Holy Spirit, not a work of the individual. After all, Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of the Christian. Because self-control is a gift produced in and through us by God’s Spirit, Christians should be hopeful about maturing in the faith. For in Jesus, we have a source for true self-control far beyond that of our personal weaknesses. Similar to an athlete preparing for a higher vision, we have a firm expectation for ourselves.  “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize” (1 Corinthians 9:25). When all is said and done and we decide to journey with Christ, we face two tasks before us. The first of these is to form a relationship with the Lord. The second is just as important: we must decide Who will be in control of our lives. When we finally decide to ‘let go and let God’ – then we have discovered who is truly “the boss of the whole world.”

REFLECTION: Does it comfort or distress you that God can have an influence on the world through you?  How does increasing your knowledge of His role in your life help you to trust that He is ultimately in control? In a world that often feels out of control, can you justify to others it is important to trust God?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., AUGUST 3, 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

 “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” (James 1:19)

A friend informs you that your neighbor has just been nominated to receive recognition as a generous community servant. Over the course of the last few months, this neighbor has been uncompromisingly nasty about a comment you had made concerning pet boundaries.  Your friend has no idea that an issue has recently developed with this neighbor who is a mutual acquaintance.  You clear your throat about to make a few choice remarks.  And then you hesitate, wondering if your comments would really serve any useful purpose. Or perhaps you are at work when your boss asks if he might see you for a few minutes. As you go into his office, a new work opportunity is laid out before you. Over the course of the next year, the company has identified you to be part of a special work project that will offer you bonus pay. If you consent, you will be agreeing to work many extra hours. The recently established hobby time during which you have been able to bond with your teenager will ultimately suffer. Also, that weekly Bible Study that you have committed to teach will have to be put on hold for now.  Your boss would like an answer, but with all things considered – you might be sacrificing a lot more than you would gain. So . . . you decide to hit the pause button. More often than not, our tendency to give deliberate reflection to the choices directly in front of us frequently gives way to flaw-filled impulsivity. We are quick to criticize, hasty in our decision-making, and often thoughtless about how the choices we make might ultimately affect not only ourselves but those around us as well. While there are occasions in which it is imperative that we act quickly, an impulsive person is habitually quick in the wrong way. They jump too soon and have a tendency to look before they leap. They repeatedly lack vigilance, failing to give proper attention to the potential consequences of their thoughts and actions.

Impulsive behavior is now new. A good example of an impetuous person was one of Jesus’ chosen, Peter. When the Lord told His disciples that He must suffer and die, “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ‘Never, Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to you!’ (Matthew 16:22-23). When Jesus told his disciples that those closest to Him would scatter and deny Him, “Peter declared, ‘Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you’” (Matthew 26:33). At times, Peter’s hastiness placed him in danger. When a band of soldiers came after Jesus as He was betrayed, “Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave” (John 18:10). We see that Peter’s impulsiveness often demonstrated a lack of understanding. As he said to Jesus: “You will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” (John 13:8). Many people in Scripture made poor choices because they became impatient.  The Lord used Peter’s thoughtless statements to teach some very important lessons about the Christian life and how the believer should deal with sin. Even though Peter made many missteps and blunders in his life, Jesus understood his passion. God needs followers like this apostle who are ready to step up and prepared to obey His will. This prompted Jesus to say: “you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). Going forward from the Day of Pentecost, Peter became one of the greatest preachers the church ever had.

Colossians 1:11 tells us that we are strengthened by the Lord to “great endurance and patience.” Reducing impulsivity and developing patience does not occur overnight, yet you will not have a meaningful Christian journey without it. “So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (James 1:4). It’s crucial to seek God’s power and goodness for its maturation. At times – it’s necessary to just stop what you are doing, catch your breath, and take a moment to turn to the Lord.  Consider what He wants you to say; simply imagine what Jesus might tell you about what you are experiencing. To have a vigilant heart, one needs to rely on a check valve rather than a heart valve. Peter came to realize that while we must “prepare our minds for action” – we must also “exercise self-control” (1 Peter 1:13). Learning to hit the pause button from time to time will make you a more effective witness for Jesus . . . and it is there where you will find your just reward.

REFLECTION: Describe situations in which you find it difficult to persevere and have a tendency toward impulsiveness? Can you think of times when it may be right to act hastily or be quick to speak?  How will you work at developing a greater reaction time when asked for an opinion or decision?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JULY  27, 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.”             (Psalm 34:4)

Inspired by video technology, the concept of an ‘escape game’ has become a trendy experience. Consisting of an action team­ positioned in a real-life location – players cooperatively discover clues, solve puzzles, and accomplish tasks in one or more game rooms over a specified but limited period of time. As escape rooms evolved – physical combination locks, hidden keys, and codes found in the rooms have been introduced. The use of technology and elaborate storylines enhances the visitor experience, making the challenge more interactive and theatrical. Participants include family groups, friends, corporate clients interested in team-building, as well as couples. As the concept popularized throughout the world, there has been increased opportunity for risk-taking. In 2019, an American psychological horror mystery film entitled Escape Room followed a group of people sent to navigate a series of escape rooms, only to discover that their fates are tied to using their wits to survive the maze of deadly mystery rooms.

Throughout the course of history – humans have been seduced by thrill-seeking, often times increasing the risk to the point of placing their own lives in peril. The world’s most exhilarating event takes place each July in the cramped streets of Pamplona in Spain with the Running of the Bulls. The origin dates back to the 14th century when locals began honoring the passing of Saint Fermín who was dragged to his own death by bulls. To this day, adrenaline-seeking contenders sprint down the road literally running for their lives. The enraged bulls show no mercy to those who slip or fall on the course and make this one of the most dangerous running events of all-time. It’s not unusual for daredevils like these to sometimes be critical of those who help disengage them from the messes into which they willingly placed themselves. Some who have a faith background have been known to blame God for not being there to rescue them.

Throughout God’s Word, we find assurances like this one from the Apostle Paul: “And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us” (2 Corinthians 1:10). The Old Testament is full of accounts of God being there to rescue His people.  On the brink of danger, Moses had led the Israelites to the edge of the Red Sea with Pharaoh and his army hot on their trail. If they caught up to them, it would mean death or a return to slavery for the nation of Israel, but God had a plan. Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:13-14). Suddenly, the waters of the Red Sea ripped open, and they were able to walk across on dry land. When Pharaoh’s army tried to advance after them, they were drowned in the crashing waves of the sea. An equally astounding story (1 Samuel 17:41-50) is revealed when the young, inexperienced David confronted the fierce Philistine, Goliath. Towering above his young combatant, Goliath possessed brute strength and unrivaled weaponry. He challenged Israel to engage in battle, but no one was willing to fight. Imagine the shock when David carrying only a slingshot stepped up for the encounter. Goliath dominated the vision of the doubters. Even so, David saw God. While everyone else believed Goliath controlled the story, he believed God loomed larger. And, with a single stone to the giant’s forehead, David’s faith proved true.

While we will sometimes place ourselves into dangerous situations, God will not create inescapable circumstances. He will provide the strength to do what we cannot. “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety” (Psalm 18:2). At times when there appears to be no means of escape, we allow our fears to control the narrative. However, God is larger and shields us from what might otherwise be a tragic outcome. The blessed reality is that God grants deliverance. This has always been the provision for His people. “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.” (2 Timothy 4:18). The next time you find yourself in a situation in which there appears to be no good ending ahead, dare to ask the question . . . who is it that holds the key to my escape?

REFLECTION: Have there been times when you have engaged your life using an ‘escape game’ mentality? Where or when did you give consideration to the fact that you own self-sufficiency might never be enough to be detached from the risk you were taking? How does understanding God’s power of deliverance serve to provide strength and reassurance for those uncertain situations in your journey ahead?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JULY  20, 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.” (Psalm 33:12)

When I visited the bird store in the spring, I told my ‘bird man’ that I wished to decrease the bird population in my yard over the summer since there is an abundance of natural food in supply for my feathered friends. He recommended that a specialized goldfinch thistle feeder might create the desired effect. These are designed so that the perches are above the small ports to accommodate the tiny seed. Since the birds who gather there literally have to hang upside-down when they eat, the only ones that can easily manage are little birds like Goldfinches and Chickadees. The larger birds become discouraged and go elsewhere. I must admit I was a little skeptical at first but nonetheless purchased one at a reasonable price with a gift certificate I had received. To my amazement – it has made a big difference, and we still get to enjoy the beauty of a few species who gather upside-down while feasting.

It is vividly clear that the world of these birds is not the only one presently upside down, as evidenced by the everyday news headlines. People hate when they should love, quarrel when they should be welcoming, fight when they should be peaceful, gossip when they should be silent, wound when they should heal, steal when they should share, and do wrong when they should do right. Our nation has an increasingly diminished vision of the Godly principles on which it was founded. Society says that what may normally be considered right might not always be true for everyone. Therefore, individuals can decide for themselves what is right and wrong. Society endorses the ability to intimidate those who believe differently than you. Society says that it’s okay to remove or destroy historical statues and art when someone considers them to be politically incorrect. In many parts of the world, society thinks it is appropriate to condemn, restrict, and even eliminate displays of faith in public places. Things that used to be looked upon as a reflection of historical value and significance are frequently considered wrong and not at all in step with today’s rationale. To a sinner, a righteous person is an oddity. To those who have no recognition of a higher power, a Christian’s values are eccentric and based on wishful thinking.

Jesus calls us to live the principles of a world which God has provided for the betterment of all persons. He had His own upside-down way of thinking. He told His followers that in His kingdom the last would be first (Matthew 19:30), the least would be the greatest (Luke 9:48), and the lost would be found (Luke 15:6,9,24)). The unusual lot that He called to be His apostles reflected his commitment to building this new Kingdom — a group made up of fishermen, a hated and outcast tax collector, a zealot, and a bunch of other ‘no-name’ guys from Galilee. Jesus provided a whole new definition of what a King should be.  He said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Jesus tells us to love our neighbor, even the ones who hate us. He tells us to forgive those who have hurt us. He tells us to pray for our enemies. He tells us to turn the other cheek. He tells us not to worry about the little day-to-day needs of life, that God will provide. He tells us to not depend on ourselves but instead to depend on God. He tells us to give our lives and our treasures away for others, even if they don’t appreciate it. He turned the world on its head, challenging us to do the same.

As we celebrate another anniversary of our nation’s independence, one must realistically ask how long the blessings and protection God has bestowed on this country will continue? We should take time to reexamine our values and the symbols for which we once stood. The U.S. Flag Code states: “The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.” Perhaps it’s time for us to acknowledge that the very condition of nationwide “dire distress” does exist from sea to shining sea. While we must always strive to live in obedience to the laws of man, we must do so only when we are not violating the Laws of God (Acts 5:29). As followers of Jesus, we must realize that being respectful doesn’t mean we must accept whatever society demands of us. When we apply this, only then will we be prepared to live upright in an upside-down world.

REFLECTION: In what ways might you reexamine the contrasts of Jesus’ teachings and apply them in your own life? Are there changes you should make in the way you think and act? How might you do a better job of encouraging others in the faith to not always listen to what the world is telling them?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JULY  13, 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.