“I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me.” (Psalm 118:13)

During a senseless act at Minnesota’s Mall of America, a stranger threw a five-year-old boy from a third-floor balcony in April, 2019. Critically injured with head trauma, the youth miraculously had no brain damage but suffered many injuries including leg and arm fractures. Launched the day after the incident, a fund-raising account eventually received more than $1 million from well-wishers to help pay the medical bills while the young boy recovered from the 40-foot fall. Cards and prayers helped to sustain him. He expressed the following comment via social media: “Don’t worry, I fell off a cliff, but Angels caught me and Jesus loves me, so I’m ok and you will be too!” A little over seven months later, he was back in school without even a limp. Leaving the house, he would blow kisses at his mom. Whenever she would inquire how he was doing, he told her, “Mom, I’m healed, you don’t need to ask anymore.” As we enter the Season of Advent – we might consider getting to know Jesus a little better, following the example of this five-year old boy who seemed to know and understand Him far better than most of us.

For most of our lives, we strive to be independent. We’re told that good parenting will enable us to think for ourselves. As we mature, we realize that there are times we need to affirm ourselves and must learn to “stand on our own two feet” so to speak. While we should always embrace those who encouraged, prodded, and loved us through our lifetime – the concept of self-actualization is affirmed by our society. When we invite Jesus into our lives, there can appear to be a contradiction with what we have been taught. As our culture often communicates a need to outgrow dependence on others, followers of Jesus come to realize that they will never outgrow their need for Him. The Apostle Paul tells us that “This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). Unlike those earthly child-rearing experts, our Heavenly Father raises us to depend on Him more each day.

To fall in love with Jesus, we must know Him . . . not superficially, but deeply. That kind of knowledge takes time and persistence, just like any good relationship. Jesus invites us to abide in His love, indicating we should not rush through it. In John 15:9, He said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.’” Everything changes when you begin to know Jesus as a real person. When you read in John 8:3-11 about Jesus standing by a shamed woman daring the self-righteous to convict her, one can imagine Him doing that for us. As He dined with sinners (Mark 2:15-17), you can feel His presence in your own home breaking bread with your family. When Jesus stopped a suffering woman who in faith touched His cloak to be healed (Mark 5:24-31), you just know He would also pause for you. As we come to embrace these truths, we affirm that Jesus is real, and He loves us. In order for us to experience that love and offer it back, we need to know Him. Really know Him. One who intensely loved Him stated that we must “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). When you invite Jesus to live in and through you, He will give you the faith you need to persevere. If you trust Him especially when you feel broken and vulnerable, God will use this experience to accomplish good purposes in your life. Jesus will be your source of strength when you can’t rely on your own.

God is always working in the lives of the those who love Him. When His children fall, He will pick them up and dust them off. He will never forsake His faithful ones, and with His righteous right hand He will hold them up (Isaiah 41:10). Here then is the challenge which lies before you: Make a conscious decision to commit to Him, and continue to study and live by His Word. Hold on to God’s promises in your heart and know that He is by your side in every situation. For you see, when you fall in love with Jesus, He will put everything in its rightful place. After all, He was there for a little five year-old-boy who was certain his fall was broken by angels, that Jesus loved him, and that he would be ok. As we move toward Christmas and celebrate His birth once again, you can be assured that the same will be true for you.

REFLECTION: Does the love of God create in you a desire to obey, serve, and to pray to Him each day? Where, or under what circumstances, do you most feel your dependence on Jesus? Are you passionately pursuing your relationship with God by getting to know His Son better? How can we help others fall in love with Jesus and see the Bible as God’s love letter to us, not a rule book of morals to follow?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., DECEMBER 7 , 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“The disciples were indignant when they saw this. ‘What a waste!’ they said.” (Matthew 26:8)

I once heard the tongue-in-cheek story about a rich man who was determined to give his mother a birthday present that would outshine all others. He had read about a bird that had a vocabulary of 4000 words, could speak in numerous languages, and even sing three operatic arias. Locating such a bird, he immediately bought one for $50,000 and had it delivered to his mother. The next day he phoned her to see if she had received it. “What did you think of the bird?” he asked. She replied, “It was delicious.” Following your immediate response, your next thought might be . . . “What a waste?” A more revealing true fact is that during Thanksgiving each year, Americans will discard 35% — or several hundred million pounds — of edible turkey meat alone. While this holiday is a time to reflect on our many blessings, much of the bountiful food supply which fills our plates and bellies this season will eventually overflow into our landfills. It has been estimated that the amount of food wasted in the United States each year could feed hundreds of millions of hungry people. These staggering numbers have generated enough sensitivity to sponsor an annual ‘Food Waste Weekend’ nation-wide awareness campaign in the faith community.

In God’s Holy Word, there are numerous references to waste. In the Old Testament, we read that David was sheltered in a cave. Three of his “elite group of fighting men went down to meet him there. David was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bethlehem. David remarked longingly to his men, ‘Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.’ So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the LORD. ‘The LORD forbid that I should drink this!’ he exclaimed. ‘This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.’ So David did not drink it” (2 Samuel 23:14-17).  It would have been easy to ask the question, “Why such waste?” However, it appears that no one questioned David’s actions; instead they were most likely inspired. For you see, the gift was too precious for any person to consume it. It belonged to God.

Contrast this passage with the story of the alabaster jar in the New Testament. In one account we see Jesus dining in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper when a woman enters the scene. She has brought a beautiful alabaster jar containing expensive perfume. She proceeds to break open the jar and pour the perfume on Jesus’ head.  Realizing the value of the perfume, “Some of those at the table were indignant. ‘Why waste such expensive perfume?’ they asked. ‘It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ So they scolded her harshly. But Jesus replied, ‘Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time.  I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed” (Mark 14:4-9). It was immediately after this event that one of His own becomes selfish: “Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them” (Mark 14:10).

In today’s society, Judas might be referred to as a modern-day ‘whistleblower.’ If we are truly honest with ourselves, we will have to admit that there are times in which we each have our Judas’ moments.  We often turn from God’s purpose and waste time on what is more comfortable for us, but God will always do His best to call us back to Him. Oftentimes though, He will find us preoccupied by an investment in ‘more important’ activities. A recent study has shown that in a lifetime most individuals will spend over 40% of their time staring at some sort of screen, be it a smartphone, laptop, tablet or TV. Hopefully you are more like David recognizing that the gift of a life is just too precious to waste. As you spend more time giving to the Lord, you will encounter those who do not know or understand Him. They will dare to look at your acts and pass on judgement: “What a waste.” But others of us know better.

REFLECTION: Is your time well spent? In what ways are you using it to advance the cause of Christ? What would you say to someone who is critical of your relationship with Him as a ‘total waste of time’?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., NOVEMBER 30 , 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God.” (Ephesians 1:11)

It was once common for families in which there were numerous siblings to pass down material possessions, particularly clothing, from one child to another. Depending where you were in the pecking order, these garments could be fairly worn or out-of-style by the time you inherited them. While some may associate this ‘hand-me-down’ philosophy to a lack of wealth or status, it was simply practical to get the most out of items that still had some useful wear. New clothing can become quite expensive, especially for parents whose youngsters who are growing ever so quickly. It continues that families will offer hand-down clothing items to smaller children in the neighborhood or among their friends. Even so, the concept of hand-me-downs does not have a great reputation with certain people. We associate them with things that have lost their value because they were used by or belonged to someone else first. As we grow older, there always comes a time when we will either outgrow or downright reject hand-me downs and want to make our own choices, individualizing our own sense of what we think is fashionable.

There are streams of Christianity that talk this way about faith as well.  They sometimes profess that the only faith having real value is brand-new, acquired by an individual on their own just for themselves. Faith that evolves from being raised in a family of faith is sometimes viewed as having less value, considered to be a hand-me-down that doesn’t really belong to you. The Apostle Paul would disagree as he specifically affirmed to Timothy that he, in fact, had kind of faith. He wrote, “I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you” (2 Timothy 1:5). For Paul, personal sincerity and family heritage aren’t in tension with one another but are instead mutually reinforcing. He instructed Timothy to invest his life in faithful men who would be able to pass on God’s truth to the next generation. Paul understood that faith is never something that we earn or accomplish on our own; it is always a gift.

Not everyone is fortunate to possess a legacy of faith similar to that which Timothy received from his mother and grandmother. There are no perfectly functioning families, because there are no perfect people. Each of us will encounter persons, sometimes in our own circle, with a level of dysfunction. If those individuals become influencers in our life, we may carry their hand-me-down values into our adult life and relationships. Peter tells us that developing a bond with Christ will help us to overcome those deficits. “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19). Remembering that sacrifice, Paul agrees: “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you…” (1 Corinthians 11:23). This affirmation is at the heart of the Holy Communion message as believers receive the sacrament.

As followers of Jesus, He hands down a specific fashion to all those who follow Him: “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful” (Colossians 3:12-15). Let me encourage you to wear the clothes Jesus has laid out for you. It’s a very personal decision, and no one’s going to dress you. Maybe it will make it easier to try them on when you pause to realize that the One you admire more than anyone else – namely Jesus, your Brother – wore them before you. They might just be a great fit . . . for wearing them will make you look more like Him.

REFLECTION: Do you have a faith that is worth handing down? What good habits of your parents have you retained, and what bad traits have you absorbed from those who went before you? Have you ever felt burdened that the faith you may have inherited from others is having a negative impact on your life? What are some ways you might you pass along some holy habit or spiritual hand-me-down?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., NOVEMBER 23 , 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.” (Psalm 119:71)

He was hired by a major league baseball team to help get them to the World Series, and when they got there – he ended up sitting on the bench. In 2007, pitcher Barry Zito signed a seven-year, $126 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. At that time, it was the largest contract ever given to a pitcher. He was at the top of his game, in peak physical condition and had the kind of financial security most people can only dream of. He posted double-digit wins in his first three seasons, and in 2010 he helped his team win their first championship in 56 years. However, he struggled the last month of the season resulting in him being left off the postseason roster. Watching from a distance as his team won the World Series, Zito’s career declined over the next few years while he came face-to-face with the destructiveness of his own ego, eventually hitting rock bottom. Raised in a metaphysical church, he was known for his idiosyncrasies and offbeat personality. Zito has said, “Having placed my full identity into my baseball career for most of my life, only to have it stripped away during the 2010 World Series run is what led me to discover my true identity. Not in a game, but in Jesus Christ.” When God finally got his attention, Zito was confronted with the truth that he was loved no matter what he achieved. In his 2019 book release, Curveball, Zito shares his story of a man who had everything except happiness.

Have you noticed that there are times God has to do something fairly dramatic to get some people’s attention? He will occasionally stage a grand intervention or an interruption of our plans in order to persuade us to change course. That’s what happened to Saul of Tarsus who was threatening to imprison and murder the Lord’s followers while traveling his way to Damascus. It is hard to imagine a more dramatic interruption than flashes of what seems to be lightning, leading to a fall followed by blindness, and then Jesus speaking directly to you. God pulled out all the stops to get Saul’s attention. It was there, lying on the ground, that Saul is able to hear a voice: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:1-4). And that is the gift that God gave to Saul: after three days of blindness, he is baptized, his sight is restored, and he is filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17-18).  God stages a grand intervention for Saul by intruding on his plans and re-routing his entire life, giving him work to do that will change the world forever. Likewise, in Exodus 3:1-11, we find Moses halting his daily routine to check out a burning bush that was not being consumed. Out of this unusual experience – God spoke to him, and gave him an important assignment. And then there was Jonah who ran from God. He was led through a course of events (Jonah 1:1-17) during which he was thrown into the sea and ending up in the belly of a great fish. God used this humbling process to get Jonah’s attention. It was when he was at his lowest that Jonah was fully prepared to go in the direction in which God had called him (Jonah 3:2-3).

There are times in each of our lives when God has to knock us off our feet so we can stop, look up, and see Jesus. In the same way, there are occasions when He will use simple methods as a ‘wake-up’ call. We may be going about the routine of our work, or engaged in church or home life, when a restlessness begins to stir within our spirit.  We might not be able to put a finger on it. We don’t know why it is happening, but we feel an uneasiness in our hearts. When such a time comes, the wise thing to do is to stop and ask the Lord what he is trying to say. Perhaps His message will be revealed through the modest words of a friend or loved one. He might speak to us through a Bible verse that we haven’t read before or enlighten us with new-found understanding of a passage we have read many times. In ways we do not always understand, Jesus continues to call on His servants. The Apostle Paul said: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe” (Hebrews 1:1-2). The Father always knows exactly where we are in our journey of faith and precisely what it will take to direct us. Then He grabs our attention, equips us with His Holy Spirit, and sets us on our way to do work that is pleasing to Him . . . thereby making the world a better place.

REFLECTION: Where were you when God last got you to truly notice Him? Have you ever thought about where you would be if the Lord didn’t use humbling circumstances to not only get your attention, but to also keep it? Could it be that He’s using your current period of difficulty for redirection so He can use you for His purposes and lead you into a new season of blessing? Would you be able to share with others how God used some failure or circumstance to get your attention?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., NOVEMBER 16 , 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

There are times when an overarching theme seems to exist in the news headlines of the day. Such was the case recently when I was watching a clip about the college admission scandals where the rich are buying acceptances into elite colleges for their children. It was followed by a story about a politician whose campaign centers on a proposal of right to free healthcare for all, regardless of citizenship. Later I heard a discussion on the pros and cons of paying college athletes, based on the revenues they help to generate. Regardless of how one might feel on these issues, together they impose a pervasive attitude on our society. That is to say . . . a sense of entitlement. Entitlement exists when an individual gets a false impression that they deserve more than they really do. Each and every day, we are bombarded with both business and government entitlement messages. Each one is engrained in our culture and absorbed into virtually every fabric of our lives. If you are old enough, you will recall a jingle from a well-known fast food chain “You deserve a break today, so get up and get away to McDonalds.”  This continues to be the message . . . you deserve it, and you should have it!

Unfortunately, this ‘entitlement mindset’ has become firmly planted in many of our thoughts and, at times, has even become seeded into our relationship with God. Entitlement creates an inward, self-centered person. We become the focus and the means to an end, and God can become reduced to someone who helps us get what we believe we are entitled to. The measure of our thankfulness and closeness to God is then based on His performance, resulting from the entitlements we expect from Him. Cling to the promise that God loves you, even when you don’t get what you desperately want. Scripture warns us: “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:3). The Good News is that even though God owes us nothing, He will give us what we need out of His great love. This occurs not because we are entitled, but instead, it flows from the unconditional love and grace He gives. We can rest content in what He chooses to give as well as what he chooses to withhold.   We should frequently pause to ask and reflect on the answers to these questions: What is a right, and what is a privilege? What is deserved, and what is grace?

In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus tells the story of two brothers, the youngest of whom asks his still-living rich father for the entitled share of his inheritance. Then he wastes it on wild living, becomes impoverished, and wonders if his father might receive him as a servant so he could at least survive. His father not only takes him back but welcomes him lovingly with open arms. He demands that his servants throw an enormous feast to celebrate the fact his lost son has returned. Then we meet the older son who comes home to the sounds of music and dancing honoring his estranged brother. Upset and angry, he won’t even enter the house feeling that he is entitled to better treatment since he is the one who has been faithful. Just as our Heavenly Father is there for us when we come home, the wayward son is given a renewed place.  If the ‘prodigal son’ had lived where he was offered government entitlements – he may have never again returned home, broken and repentant. He would have missed the opportunity to be received back into the arms of a loving father who is personified to all of us as the God of second chances.

Entitlement isn’t just a feeling.  It is real, and each of us has been guilty of it. Our reaction will determine if we live with a servant’s heart or an attitude of privilege. We cross the line of entitlement when we pursue our own agenda without first pausing to consider the impact it might have on others. When we lose our sense of compassion for those around us, we should recognize that what we think we deserve just might be coming at their expense. The answer to getting over our issues of entitlement is to develop a humble sense of gratitude, offering it to the One who has given us more that we could ever ask or imagine. The Apostle Paul understood this necessity: “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). Humility and the willingness to give up our rights are not prized virtues in our world, but they are stunningly beautiful to Christ. Seek grace over entitlement every time, and you will indeed be blessed.

REFLECTION: In what areas of my life am I discontent? What do I think I need in order to experience an abundant life? How can we recognize my own sense of entitlement and take steps to surrender it to God?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., NOVEMBER 9 , 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.