“You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above . . .” (John 19:11)

The practice of bartering has been going on for thousands of years. Each of us most likely did this when we were young, sometimes trading lunch items at school. Even today we occasionally engage in swapping things, such as providing childcare for your family if you prepare dinner for mine. In each situation, the offer is successful only if both parties have something the other needs and considers what they are giving to be a fair exchange for what they receive. More often than not, people prefer dickering where there is disagreement over the value of the exchange. Our family once had an older couple as  neighbors. Years ago, when they went to buy a car – the wife haggled over the purchase price until the salesperson agreed to “18,000 and not a cent more.”  When the couple went to pick up their new car, the franchise presented an invoice for $18,000 plus taxes and transfer costs. The wife argued that this was “not the bargain.” Guess who won, as her husband just smiled and shook his head?

Can you imagine being bold enough to bargain with God? When you’re dickering with a merchant, you possess the money and they hold the merchandise. You each have something the other person wants, so you have some bargaining power. But when it comes to God, He holds everything. The good news is that if we try to bargain with God, He is gracious to deal with us right where we are. The story is told that Martin Luther’s father, who worked as a miner, wanted his son to become a lawyer, so Martin studied law. He was almost done with his preparation, when one day at the age of 21, he was caught outside during a violent thunderstorm. In the midst of his fear, Luther cried out to St. Anna, the patron saint of miners, “Save me, Saint Anna, and I shall become a monk!” God spared Luther, and he kept his vow, to the great disappointment of his father and his mother. In our limited understanding of who He is and because He is sovereign over all, God can even use our feeble attempts at bargaining to accomplish a more glorious purpose, as He did with Luther.

In the Old Testament, we can read about Jacob leaving his home on a journey to find a wife from among his people. “Then Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s house, then the LORD will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth’” (Genesis 28:20-22).  Later in 1 Samuel, we discover Hannah who has been unable to conceive and bear a child, while her husband’s other wife had many children. “And she made a vow, saying, ‘O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life…’” (1 Samuel 1:11). We come to understand that it is not possible to make deals with God, except perhaps in special cases where deal-making is part of God’s teaching process. Both Jacob and Hannah had lessons to learn along the way, so it appeared that God bargained.

God is not a master who passes along favors to His servants who strike bargains with Him. If one thinks that they can somehow manipulate God into doing things their way, they are deceived. Making promises to God in order to gain favor shouldn’t serve as a basis for our relationship. Rather, we must live our lives according to His will. Remember Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane when He cried out “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (Luke 22:42). And the Father said, “No.” That “no” was a turning point replacing the old covenant of works with the new covenant of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). It made the way for those who follow Jesus to live for all of eternity in God’s holy presence. The blessings we receive will come through that same grace of God because He loves us and not because we talked Him into it by promising to do things we should have been doing all along. While God will sometimes allow us to be in difficult situations so that He can connect with us, the good news is that He is sovereign and gracious. We are simply called to trust and submit to Him . . . absolutely no bargaining needed.

REFLECTION: Recall a time in which you found yourself in a difficult situation and tried to bargain with God. If that worked out favorably, did you consider that the result may have been what God desired for you all along? How does bargaining with God reveal a low image of Him?

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

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

Woven in and out of the fabric of one’s life are many persons, some of whom become quite special to us over time. Brandon Lane Phillips was born with a congenital heart defect. Due to his health situation, he was granted a gifted-wish at the age of eleven. Having less than a great home life, he prayed that God would show that he cared about him. He used his wish to meet actor Jeremy Miller who portrayed Ben Seaver on the popular 1980’s sitcom, Growing Pains. Both Jeremy and Kirk Cameron, who played the older brother in the show, began to assure Brandon that God had a plan for his life. That day, they formed a friendship with Brandon who began to develop a new level of self-confidence.  As the years passed, he went to medical school and became a cardiologist. As God’s providence would have it, a day came when Jeremy needed Brandon.  Jeremy had become addicted to alcohol, and Brandon was able to help him enter into a very exclusive recovery program. Together they have written a book, When I Wished Upon a Star, affirming that “God placed us in each other’s’ lives when we needed it the most.”

The Bible is filled with instances when God brought people together for a far-seeing purpose. King Saul hated and pursued to kill David, but Saul’s son Jonathan loved (1 Samuel 20:17) and protected him. “Jonathan said to David, ‘Go in peace, for the two of us have sworn together in the name of the Lord saying, ‘The Lord will be between me and you and between my descendants and your descendants forever’” (1 Samuel 20:42). When Naomi’s son dies, his widow elects to stay with Ruth rather than return to her own family. She tells Naomi: “Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God” (Ruth 1:16) and she is, in turn, blessed for her loyalty. The Apostle Paul praises his student Timothy for his deep faith (2 Timothy 1:5). Later he tells the Church at Philippi, “I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare” (Philippians 2:20). Scripture references people who are brought together in this way as being ‘like-minded.’ When believers are challenged to be of one mind and voice, they are known for their acceptance of one another by their display of the spirit of God’s love. We are, therefore, inspired by the words of the great apostle: “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble” (1 Peter 3:8)

As we mature, we quickly learn that many of the people who we refer to as friends come and go as if they are only with us for a season of our lives. We are fortunate if we find just a few persons with whom we can develop a deep, lasting relationship. When we enter into a true Spirit-filled, fully-surrendered walk with the Lord, one of the first things to occur is that God will create an awareness of individuals who may not be good for us. God’s Holy Word states that he who keeps company with fools will suffer harm (Proverbs 13:20). The Bible also warns that we are not to team up with those who are unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14), that we are to stay away from people who cause divisions and obstacles (Romans 16:17), and even pull back from those believers who are disruptive and do not live according to our faith  teachings (2 Thessalonians 3:6). Some of that may sound very harsh. While we never want to pass up an opportunity to witness or help meet the basic needs of those who do not know Christ, God also knows who is best suited for us spiritually at any point in time. So, we must let Him guide us toward those who will have a positive impact on sharpening our character. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). Such individuals will help to keep us spiritually in line when we are getting off-track, assist to get us through and make sense of some of the downswings that can occur in our daily walk, as well as provide affirmation that we are heading in the right direction.  In that way, we serve each other and continue to stay on the path where God seems to be leading us. While we are sometimes misled to think that there are many who can do this for us – the end-result will be that if it is to be true and lasting, it will come from God who connects us with special persons who are like-minded.

REFLECTION: With whom are you sharing the important parts of your life? How can you help others understand that being like-minded doesn’t mean we unite around a specific set of doctrines, political issues of the day, or a certain theology?  What are some concrete ways that you can encourage others to earnestly seek the mind of Christ while building one another up in faith?

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

“Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” (Matthew 11:15)

Remember when you were a child, you were no doubt told with great frequency that you needed to listen.  The concept of listening at that age meant obeying.  As one grows older, it’s more about paying attention. And, yes – there is a difference. Who are what are you listening to these days? Could it be a nagging spouse or a demanding boss? When you turn on the TV or play music, who are you listening to then? Have you shut out the world with your earbuds, or are there times you just need to be silent and turn down the volume? A. A. Milne’s character Winnie the Pooh stated: “If the person you are talking to doesn’t appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.”  I can completely understand that claim.  Once while present at a concert of a rock band I had come to enjoy in my youth, the person with whom I was attending leaned over attempting to say something to me. I pointed to my ears which I had plugged with rolled up tissues after the performance of several songs. While the music was much the same as I had remembered, the person running the soundboard was providing a nearly deafening experience for those of us in the audience. That’s the way it frequently is in life as well, when we decide to allow one loud voice to dominate and ruin our concentration.

As we mature in our faith, we come to understand that it is important to listen with discernment. When we permit other things to get in the way of proper listening, we lack understanding.  When the Lord tried to speak through Moses to the Israelites whose spirits had been broken, “they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor” (Exodus 6:9). Later in Psalm 81:11-12, we read: “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.” When Jesus took Peter, James and John with him to the mountain to pray, their lack of listening and focus denied them vital insight into the events that would soon occur in the life of Jesus in Jerusalem. One translation of scripture indicates that Peter had no idea what he was saying, and “While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him (Luke 9:34-35). While Peter was jabbering away, God told him He just needed to listen.

There are other times as well when we do not listen simply because we lack faith and are afraid. This is illustrated in the story of a little girl who was in bed and scared of the dark. She went into her parent’s room telling them she was afraid. Her mother said, “It’s okay sweetheart. There is nothing to be afraid of, God is in there with you.” The little girl retreated to her room. As she climbed into bed she said, “God, if you’re in here, don’t you say a word. You will scare me to death.” It is important to appreciate that God often speaks in the quietest of moments as He whispers, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). It is when we fail to listen to Him that fear will open the door, and we give place to the devil to do his destructive work. Sin can deafen the ears of any child of God, however young or old. When you are on a course of life and not listening to God, you are setting yourself up for one tumultuous ride.

Fear has a voice and faith has a voice . . . we must choose to listen to the right one. If you are seeking God and trying to walk with Him but are not experiencing His peace, you might be listening to the wrong voice. Scripture reminds us: “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world” (1 John 4:1). Remember, our ears are tuned to whatever holds our hearts and minds.  When we ignore the nudging of the Holy Spirit or allow the world to drown out God’s Holy Word, earthly things will become more dominant in our thinking and in our feelings. After a while we will cease to pay any attention to what God is saying, because we are no longer listening to the One who cares the most (Hebrews 2:1). When we turn a deaf ear to God, we are going down a path we do not want to travel. Faith, after all, comes from hearing (Romans 10:17). But first and foremost, we must learn how to listen.

REFLECTION: Are you interested in what God has to say to you on any given day? What’s the first voice you hear in the morning? Do you set aside time each day to listen to God? When you hear God telling you do something that is in conflict with your plans, how do you handle that? In what ways might you consider refining both your listening and obeying skills when it comes to God’s voice?

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

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

In 1895, a former slave by the name of Booker T. Washington gave what later came to be known as the Atlanta Compromise speech. He used the following illustration: “A ship lost at sea for many days suddenly sighted a friendly vessel. From the mast of the unfortunate vessel was seen a signal, ‘Water, water; we die of thirst!’ The answer from the friendly vessel at once came back, ‘Cast down your bucket where you are.’ A second time the signal, ‘Water, water; send us water!’ ran up from the distressed vessel, and was answered, ‘Cast down your bucket where you are.’ The captain of the distressed vessel, at last heeding the injunction, cast down his bucket, and it came up full of fresh, sparkling water from the mouth of the Amazon River.” Using this story, Washington encouraged his audience to take what they had in front of them and make “friends in every manly way of the people of all races by whom we are surrounded.” His words stressed cooperation and helped to establish him as the leading black spokesmen of his time, eventually giving him credibility to be an advisor to several Presidents.

Washington’s story reminded me of another boat at sea. Its inhabitants were also struggling but not because they needed water. They were located on the Sea of Galilee in a small craft filled with experienced fisherman who spent the entire night with no catching success (John 21:3). These inhabitants were already in a depressed mood because of the horrific events leading to, and culminating in, the recent death of their friend Jesus. Several of His closest disciples were in that boat doing what they knew best . . . fishing. Early the next morning they were headed to land, as a voice called to them from the shore asking if they had any fish. It was difficult to see who was calling to them, and they reluctantly admitted that they had not caught a single fish all night long. The voice called back: “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” What possible difference could it make to put the net in on the right side instead of the left where they have been? But for some unknown reason – they unquestioningly took out the nets and threw them into the water on the other side of their boat. Scripture tells us that “When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish” (John 21:6). They are stunned by what has happened when it suddenly became evident who had been calling to them: “Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord’” (John 21:7).

Years ago during the Super Bowl, FedEx ran a commercial that spoofed the movie Castaway. In it, actor Tom Hanks played a FedEx worker whose company plane went down, stranding him on a desert island for years. Looking like the disheveled Hanks in the movie, the FedEx employee approaches the front of a suburban home, package in hand. When the lady of the house comes to the door, he explains that he survived five years on a deserted island. During that whole time, he safeguarded the package in order to deliver it to her. She gives a simple, “Thank you,” but he is curious about its contents. Therefore, he poses this question . . . “If I may ask, what was in that package after all?” She opens it and they check out what’s inside. Her comments: “Oh, nothing really. Just a satellite telephone, a global positioning device, a compass, a water purifier, and some seeds.” Like the contents in this package, the resources for growth and strength are accessible to every Christian who will take advantage of them.

While most of us expend a lot of time and energy looking around for the next best thing, we often miss that precious gem which is available to us right now. For you see, it is when we come to the end of us that we will find the beginning of God. There He will meet us, right when we seemingly have exhausted all of our resources. “For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right” (Psalm 84:11). So, the next time you find yourself in desperate need – just lower your bucket or cast your net. You may be delightfully surprised to realize that the very thing you required was never very far away.

REFLECTION: How often do you find yourself seeking some other place or circumstance to make everything better? Is your lack of faith preventing God from showing His power through your storm? Consider a time when your personal success was followed only after an act of submission to God.

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

“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you.” (Colossians 1:9)

“I guess people take me seriously, because they keep giving me names.”  The statement was made by a friend of mine making reference to the fact that she is frequently requested to pray for folks she doesn’t even know.  This came about because she maintains a prayer list and often tells others she will put them on it when they express a need. Recently, I had a text from a friend asking me to remember a couple whom we mutually know in my prayers. I responded that I certainly would and said that they had actually been on my prayer list for some time.  She answered back by stating, “I would have never thought of prayer lists if I didn’t know you.”  Quite frankly, the idea of maintaining a prayer list is not a novel idea. I started keeping one years ago when I was told it was sinful to tell someone you would be praying for them and then not do so. Scripture says, “Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37). While my offer of prayer is always expressed with the best of intentions, I also know that my memory is, at times, short-lived. Hence . . . my list.

There are times when folks make prayer far more complex than it needs to be. There is a story of a man who learned how easy it could become. A man’s daughter had asked the local pastor to come and pray with her father who was bedfast. Assuming the old fellow had been informed of his visit, the pastor introduced himself. Pointing to an empty chair beside the bed, he said, “I figured you were expecting me.” “Oh yeah . . . the chair,” said the bedridden man. “I’ve never told anyone this, not even my daughter, but all of my life I never knew how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it always went right over my head. One day about four years ago my best friend said to me, ‘Joe, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here’s what I suggest. Sit down, place an empty chair beside you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. Then just speak to Him and listen in the same way you’re doing with me right now.’ So, I tried it and I’ve liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I’m careful, though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she’d think I had gone crazy.” The pastor was deeply moved by the story and encouraged man to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him and returned to the church. Two nights later the daughter called to tell the pastor that her father had died that afternoon. “Did he pass peacefully?” the pastor asked. “Yes, when I left the house around two o’clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me one of his corny jokes, and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, he was gone.  But there was something strange . . . apparently just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on a chair beside the bed.” Joe had come to appreciate who it was sitting in the chair next to him.

Spending time alone with God in prayer is a great privilege that not only allows us to touch the lives of others but also seek personal help in our own struggles and weaknesses. If you have ever been on the receiving end of prayer, you know how effective prayer can be. I can’t tell you how many times I didn’t know someone was lifting me in prayer to later be told by them, “Hey, I’ve been praying for you.”  It’s always been a moment of revelation for me, for I knew when I was walking in that dark valley – I felt close to God. To be certain, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16). It’s become far too easy to acknowledge someone’s pain and suffering with a simple “thinking of you” in passing. Social media posts are only one example of dismissive comments such as “praying for you.” Let’s hope that all those who flippantly use that expression are really doing so. The difference between saying you’re praying for someone and actually praying for them is one simple action . . . talking to our Father. Those who take prayer seriously will pray continually and trust that God answers each prayer according to His perfect will and in His perfect timing. A Christian who prays repeatedly and effectively for others in the manner taught in Scripture will pray to God the Father (Matthew 6:9), in the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27), and in the name of Jesus (John 14:13). When we do so, it gives a whole new life to the phrase, “Praying for you.”

REFLECTION: In addition to asking God to ‘move’ as you pray about specific names or situations, learn to listen for your own self-reflective thoughts. Carefully consider what God’s Spirit is prompting you to do in light of your request (make a call, send a card, share a scripture, schedule a visit). During those times when you are feeling inadequate or worthless, why not begin a personal prayer ministry?

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

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”         (Proverbs 11:25)

In the midst of the Great Depression, a mother of seven becomes frustrated that no one in the family seems to be pulling their weight in completing their assigned chores. So she stages what she calls her “own personal sit-down strike.”  Probably the most self-sacrificing member of the TV-family known as The Waltons, Olivia Walton appears to be frustrated that her kindness and generosity is being taken-for-granted.  If you were a fan of this 1970’s family drama, you know that in this episode like all the others – everything turns out just fine, including a lesson-to-be remembered. That was then . . . and it appears that in the now, not much has changed. In the present day, a lady writes to an advice columnist that “while she likes doing kind things for people,” she believes that her “kind acts should be appreciated but not to be expected.” She goes on to express that her generosity has begun to turn to resentment. She must feel some guilt from this, because she asks the advice-giver what she is doing wrong.

The words of wisdom shared from the columnist are no doubt intended to get the writer to examine her own actions.  At one point she states, “If your self-worth is tied up in the idea that you’re a generous person, you should disengage it.” While that advice might be adequate for many in today’s society, it should also be compared with Biblical teachings when considered by modern-day Christians. Scripture is filled with many examples of kindness and self-sacrifice. In the Book of Acts, we read about a person named Tabitha from Joppa who was always doing good. Dorcas, as she was also called, was known for her compassion for the poor in her community and investing in those who had needs. In Acts 9:36-40, we discover her at the time of her death. Friends search for Peter to see if there was something he could do. Widows showed him all the clothing Dorcas had made for them—gifts that reminded them of her love. Dorcas is described as a disciple and was one who imitated the generosity of God.

From the beginning of Creation, God has been generous toward us. He created us in His image, provides for us, and wants us to be in a relationship with Him. Above all, God demonstrated His generosity when He offered His Son as a sacrifice to atone for our sin. The gift of Jesus to sinful mankind was the ultimate validation of His love. He is always seeking people who will reflect His character and model His generosity through self-sacrifice, evidenced by their attitude and actions toward others. While at times we might feel that our generosity is unappreciated, we are not to expect repayment in kind or from any worldly praise. Our reward will come from the Lord, in His way and in His time.  In fact, we are challenged to show generosity even to our enemies: “If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them . . . But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (Luke 6:29,35).

Lent, begins on Ash Wednesday and runs during the six weeks leading up to Easter Sunday. It marks a period of time when some Christians reflect on the biblical account of Jesus’ time in the desert where he fasted and prayed before his eventual death and resurrection. During the Lenten season, we are expected to make sacrifices as children of God and followers of Christ. The sacrifices should remind us of the one made by Jesus through which He saved us from sin and won salvation of our souls. While the historical intent behind the season of Lent is purposeful, it has often lost meaning in our culture. It has become fashionable to ‘give up something’ for Lent, so why not consider allowing it to be a period of generosity through self-sacrifice? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if someone was collecting the sacrificial offerings through your acts of service?  Mother Teresa reminds us that “You have never really lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” True generosity begins with a heart of sacrificial service ending with God’s grace and the knowledge that He alone has been exalted.

REFLECTION: How does your attitude and obedience change on a daily basis if you look forward to your generosity being based on the acceptance and praise from others? How can you combat the falsehood that what God can do through you is limited to what others expect from you? How can you show God’s generous heart to someone in need this week through an unanticipated act of service?

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

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”   (Romans 6:23)

One Sunday afternoon in late winter, I decided to go for a walk to get some fresh air. Several blocks from my home, I passed a small church and happened to notice the billboard. In addition to listing the times of the services, I was drawn to a quote which also appeared. It read: “Christians Never Meet for the Last Time.”  I remember considering the powerful thought expressed in that statement, and I began to recall a church massacre that had occurred years before. It was on the evening of June 18, 2015 that a 21-year-old white male entered an historic Black church in Charleston, South Caroline where some of its members gathered for a weekly prayer meeting. He was one of thirteen people in attendance and was seated next to the pastor. Initially listening to others during the service, he reportedly began to disagree when they started to discuss Scripture. After waiting for the other participants to begin praying – he pulled out a gun, began shooting and ended up murdering nine of those present, including the senior pastor. At that time, it was considered to be the deadliest mass shooting at an American place of worship.

The relatives of the victims directed comments to the accused gunman at his first court appearance. One by one, those who chose to speak did not turn to anger. Instead, they offered him forgiveness and said they were praying for his soul, even in the pain of their losses. One grandchild stated, “Although my grandfather and the other victims died at the hands of hate, everyone’s plea for your soul is proof that they lived in love, and their legacies will live in love . . . so hate won’t win.” The irony of the event was that a soon-to-be slayer was welcomed by those he murdered and forgiven by those who would feel their loss. The killer most likely chose the famous church, because he undoubtedly wanted a symbol. Against all his intentions, however, the symbol became different than the one he had intended. While the executioner set out to defile a sacred place, he ended up showing why it was a place of living faith. While he no doubt thought it would be the last time these people would ever meet together, he did not understand that they would meet again in a new location that would become their eternal home.

Jesus put it this way: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:1-3). This promise applies to all believers, even those whose earthly life has been cut short. We need not be concerned for our loved ones or ourselves as to where we will be when we leave this life; that is, if we know and follow the teachings of Jesus. John puts it quite simply: “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:11-12).  These divine traits we see from the Emmanuel AME Christians in Charleston – hospitality to the stranger, and then forgiveness to the murderer – are truly incredible examples of following Jesus Christ’s witness of love and mercy. They reflect some of the greatest virtues we are called to live by in our Christian lives. What an amazing example of Paul’s words to “overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21), while exceeding dark hatred with a force that is even greater than the greatest evil. That, my friends, is divine love.

In the midst of the horrible event at Charleston, we can also see beauty and goodness from Christians who were able to forgive in the midst of their deep pain and utter sorrow. They were able to ask for God’s mercy and grace to come upon a lost soul. This story is a great example that we can choose what we take away from a tragedy. Will we only see the crazed and forsaken man filled with racism and hatred that led to violence? Or will we see a struggle to respond to hatred with love and violence conquered by mercy?  Perhaps it helps to remember those heartfelt words—expressing again and again the lovely sentiment from an old hymn . . . “God be with you till we meet again.”

REFLECTION: Consider hate-filled or otherwise tragic events in your own life experience.  Were you quick to reciprocate with anger and blame?  How can you position yourself or help others prepare to practice love and forgiveness in the face of similar circumstances when they occur?

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

“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

I look forward to this time of year. When I hear that pitchers and catchers are reporting for spring training, I know that the start of baseball season is only weeks away.  Over the last few years, though, it’s been unclear as to who will be on your team.  Last-minute trades and unsigned player hold-outs have produced quite a bit of anxiety for devout baseball fans. If they land on your team, standout players in the prime of their career give fans renewed hope and create excitement for the best possible season. They are represented by agents who hammer out the details of mega million-dollar contracts with  new teams before anyone is signed. A lot of gamesmanship goes on behind the scenes to attract a talented player to a certain franchise, as fans become frustrated with the rumors that sometimes go on for months. To be sure, there are a lot of back and forth conversations to negotiate the best possible deal. Often times it comes down to what team will offer the most money over a specified contract period. As you might imagine, greed without any guarantee of happiness can influence the eventual decision.

I was heartened recently while watching an episode of This Is Us in which there was a flashback scene into the childhood of one of the main characters, Kevin Pearson.  Kevin stood in line for a long time waiting to get the autograph of one of his favorite baseball players who was rumored might be traded to the Minnesota Twins. His mother watched in the distance as Kevin appeared to have a very cordial conversation with the player who is in the process of autographing his baseball card. When the signing ends and Kevin walks away, the mother approaches the player inquiring what he and her son discussed. He says that Kevin studied a travel guide from his school library to match the ‘best places to go’ in Minneapolis with the hobbies listed on this rookie’s baseball card. He told Kevin’s mother that “he just wanted to make sure I was happy.”  Kevin wanted to be more than a fan with a now cherished autograph. He desired to extend the rare gift of friendship to assure his favorite player would find true happiness.

Offering happiness is not often the objective of fans with their own selfish motives. If we are fortunate to have any form of success in life, we might find that we will acquire fans of some sort. While those persons might never want our autograph, they may use us to satisfy their own agenda. It might come in the form of a request for a job reference or the influence that might be gained by being able to say they are acquainted with you. They may want to pick your brain, or on occasion – they may want to pick your pockets.  Who knows what lurks in the minds of those who seemingly wish to befriend us? Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I command . . . I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit–fruit that will last–and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you” (John 15:14-16). Jesus wants us to have a relationship with Him. When we do so, the thought process that will follow is not based on what will make us happy but rather what will please God. As a result, the blessings will flow, and our net worth will be evidenced by the fruit that we bear.

Christians and non-Christians do not disagree that happiness should be a human goal, but they should disagree with how this goal is best achieved. If we set ourselves up as the center of the universe by making decisions from a personal perspective of greed, will never guarantee our long-term happiness. 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). When a sports team examines the cost/benefit analysis of signing a new player, there is a point that they have to simply be willing to walk away. The same is true with any Christian who is assessing an accumulation of wealth decision. When a situation like that challenges you, you have to scrutinize the motives of who or what you will allow to control your life. Then you will be able to easily respond to anyone who might ask: Is Jesus really your friend, or are you merely a fan?

REFLECTION: Which makes you more happy – to be humbled or exalted? How serious are you about a relationship with Jesus? Would you say you are more of a fan or a friend? What sacrifices would you have to make if you were to move into a closer relationship with Him? Are you willing to make this sacrifice?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., MARCH 2, 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,                                                             as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

 A number of years ago, a young man who worked for me came into my office and sat down. I could see that he was not having a good day, and I became his listening ear. He started to tell me about the house he and his wife were building. Apparently there was some property variance issue needing to be resolved. It would affect the adjoining property which they had sold to another couple who had been good friends. In order to resolve the concern, entrance to the property belonging to my colleague would need a right of access through that of the unyielding neighbors. My young coworker was so distraught about the situation that he was having a difficult time focusing on his job duties. Having a few years of experience beyond that of my colleague, I offered some advice for life.  Thoughtfully, I paused, and reassured him that one way or another, this situation would ultimately be resolved. “But,” I reflected, “what are you going to do down the line?”  With a somewhat puzzled look on his face, he asked, “What do you mean?” “You know, down the line,” I said, “when this is all concluded.” “What do you plan to do when the someday comes when this neighbor needs you?”  He just looked at me with a blank look of uncertainty.  Before he had a chance to answer, I told him . . . “When that day comes, my friend, you need to be the bigger person.”  I hope that in some small way, I gave my associate a lesson on forgiveness.

When they first met, Edwin Stanton described Abraham Lincoln as a ‘long lank creature from Illinois, wearing a dirty linen duster for a coat, on the back of which the perspiration had splotched wide stains that resembled a map of the continent.” The relationship between Stanton and Lincoln got off to a bad start in 1855 when Mr. Lincoln was hired by Stanton, a high-powered Washington, D.C. lawyer, for a case set to be tried in Illinois. Lincoln accepted and worked tirelessly conducting research for the legal team, but he felt that Stanton had been very rude and discourteous toward him. Five short years later, in 1860, that same man who Stanton once referred to as “giraffe-like” was now the President of the United States. In 1862, Lincoln needed to appoint a new Secretary of War. The President’s choice of Stanton would reveal his ability to transcend personal humiliation and bitterness, allowing forgiveness to occur. Lincoln’s trust of Stanton began to change the relationship, and Stanton responded with unfailing loyalty. Disparaging words of Lincoln not only disappeared from his lips, but neither he nor any of his family members would tolerate a scornful remark of their beloved president. It was Stanton who sat by Lincoln’s bed throughout the night after the president was shot at Ford’s Theater. As Lincoln passed on from this life, Stanton declared – “Now he belongs to the ages.” Because Abraham Lincoln was willing to forgive and trust, he gained a friend . . . a very dear friend.

Peter once asked Jesus how often one should forgive someone who sins against him, anticipating that seven times might be the expectation. “Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times’” (Matthew 18:22).  Then he proceeded to tell the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:23-34) about a king who wanted to settle the debts of his servants. One owed a substantial amount and begged the king for patience in repayment. Eventually his master took pity on him and forgave the debt. This same man then sought revenge on another who owed him, seemingly failing to show the same compassion.  This was reported to the king who called him in, stating “You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?” The man was then jailed until the entire debt was repaid. Jesus concludes, “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart” (Matthew 18:35). The take-away from this parable: if you don’t practice forgiveness, you might be the one who pays most dearly. Someone once asked, “So where in scripture does it say – ‘To err is human; to forgive divine?’” Well the truth of the matter is, the Bible doesn’t exactly say that, at least not in those words. But throughout scripture there is a prevailing theme that exists. When someone becomes involved in doing wrong, they are acting like a flawed human. But when we forgive them, then we are acting like God who is always willing to forgive us. In order to demonstrate that kind of witness, we must swallow our pride and learn to forgive.  Then, and only then, will we become the bigger person.

REFLECTION: How does God’s mercy and grace empower us to pursue His help in seeking forgiveness toward others we might otherwise have a difficult time forgiving? In the Bible, the Greek word translated “forgiveness” literally means “to let go.” What are some things you need to consider letting go?

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

“A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.” (Proverbs 16:27)

A lady writes to one of those “Dear Dr…” columns about a complaint she has had for over forty years. She states that she has what can be described as a “burning tongue.” Her personal physician apparently showed little curiosity or concern. Convinced that she’ll never know the cause, the lady was asking for ideas from the professionals at the medical advice column. The responding physician replied that the woman likely has what is commonly known as “burning mouth syndrome.” He further stated that while specific medical causes for this condition are not always easily identified, there is testing that can be done and helpful treatments which are available.  He seemed a bit perturbed that both the woman and her physician had tolerated the condition for “way too long.” As I read about this medical concern, I recall thinking to myself how there are times when each of us could probably be diagnosed with a burning tongue that one might simply classify as a ‘sinfully social syndrome.’

Not long ago, a friend and I were taking a power walk along a path of a local park. We were chatting away when we began reminiscing about several former classmates, one of whom had lost her husband at a rather young age. The conversation turned to the reality that she had been left to finish raising two children.  While they were fairly young at the time of their father’s passing, the children would be adults now. Then, in the distance, three women approached us. As they came closer, one of them took off her sunglasses and greeted us with a warm smile and hugs.  To our dismay, it was the very classmate about whom we were speaking.  I looked at her and said, “You’re not going to believe this but we were just talking about you before you walked up to us.” We laughed, acknowledging that it had been a respectful conversation. But one can only imagine how we might have felt had we been gossiping about or maligning this individual in any way!  I’m not sure which is worse – a burning tongue, or egg on your face.

Badmouthing, slander, and defamation of character are all common ills of our society. Many today believe that gossip is a unifying force, the social glue that tends to hold a group together. That is, of course, unless you are the focused subject of the gossip. James, the half-brother of Jesus, explains why gossip occurs: “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). Sadly, it seems that everyone eventually finds himself or herself the recipient of gossip or tempted to gossip about others. The inclination to gossip is part of human nature, and taming the tongue requires God’s help. James issues a warning to those who profess to be Christians but fail to regulate their mouth. “If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless” (James 1:26). The tongue of we humans is sometimes compared to that of an energetic horse which needs a bridle to restrain its fierceness. When there are things that should not be said, a bridled tongue will help one refrain from speaking. When there are things that need to be said, a bridled tongue will assist one to say them in a manner that they would best be stated.

Half-truths and rush to judgment have become pervasive in our world, and they can destroy a reputation through social media or internet postings in minutes. “Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish . . . Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge” (Proverbs 18:13,15). But it is not intelligence or truth that many are seeking. Rather they come to delight in spreading the spicy details of the latest scandal, having little concern for the wounded left in its path. Jesus put it this way: “Whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you” (Matthew 12:34-37). If you think you may be in danger of having burning mouth syndrome, know that it is a condition that can be treated if you consult with the Great Physician. Otherwise when we come face to face with Our Maker, we can fully expect He might ask why we have allowed this sinfully social syndrome to go untreated way too long.

REFLECTION: What factors make it difficult for some to restrain their tongue? Is it always a sin to criticize? When and how might it be proper? How can you become more accountable for your words?

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