DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?      To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

This leading scripture by the Old Testament prophet is said to have been a favorite of Theodore Roosevelt who became the 26th President of the United States under tragic conditions on September 14, 1901. As the Vice-President – he succeeded President William McKinley who died from a gunshot eight days earlier. Theodore Roosevelt came from a high-society New York City family, wealthy descendants of the first Dutch families who settled Manhattan. By the age of 25, he had accomplished more than many men twice his age. Over the prior two years, he had become one of the leading lights of the New York Legislature. But social status could not protect him from personal tragedy. On Valentine’s Day 1884, both Roosevelt’s mother, age 48, as well as his 22-year-old wife passed away. Later that year he relocated to the Dakota Badlands where he hoped to grieve their loss, launch a career as a writer, and mend some personal health issues he had developed as a child. Theodore Roosevelt presented as a rather poor candidate for acceptance into the Western fold; however, ranch life eventually brought him the health and strength that had long eluded him. In his autobiography, Roosevelt wrote of the Badlands, “I owe more than I can ever express to the West, which of course means to the men and women I met in the West.”

No doubt you have at one time or other heard the term, “Diamond in the Rough.” This phrase is used when someone refers to a person who has exceptional hidden characteristics and future potential, but currently lacks the final touches or finesse that would make him or her stand out from the crowd. Perhaps Roosevelt was a bit of a ‘diamond in the rough’ despite his refined cultural upbringing. After all – it was his western experience and developed “cowboy image” that prompted him to conceive and exercise leadership in the Rough Riders cavalry unit at the start of the Spanish-American War in 1898, and prepared him to become President of the United States at the dawn of the 20th century. Like the cutting and polishing process required to form a precious diamond, Roosevelt’s image is sculpted into granite stone at the Mount Rushmore Memorial in South Dakota alongside Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln. His friend, historian Henry Adams, once stated: “Roosevelt, more than any other man… showed the singular primitive quality that belongs to ultimate matter—the quality that medieval theology assigned to God—he was pure act.”

A diamond doesn’t automatically shine and sparkle. When it is uncut, it is rough and not at all like a diamond found in jewelry.  It has to be fashioned by someone who is skilled in cutting in order for it to glitter and reflect light. Although diamonds are rare, expensive, and highly prized – they are nothing compared to how God values us. Never forget that Jesus looked at an impulsive, uneducated fisherman named Simon and saw a ‘diamond in the rough’ who he later referred to as ‘the rock’ (Matthew 16:18). This very same Simon Peter said: “As you come to him, the living Stone–rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:4-5). God could have shaped us as beautiful sparkling diamonds. Instead He allowed us to be ‘diamonds in the rough’ because He foresees the ultimate creation of what we can become under His carefully guided hand. Pastor Rick Warren says, “God changes caterpillars into butterflies, sand into pearls and coal into diamonds by using time and pressure. He is working on you too.” God charges us to become better, to grow, and to shine. Today, let us consider where we might need a bit of polish and think about areas that need to be cut away. When you yield to the master cutter, you will then be able to “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). What was once simply a ‘diamond in the rough’ will be no more!

REFLECTION: What are some areas of your life that remain like a diamond in the rough? After we have identified these weaknesses with the help of the Holy Spirit, do we trust God enough to grind back the flaws in our character and to polish our surfaces closer to be more like Him? How can we help others see that each one of us has our own imperfections that can only improve by the work of the Master’s hand?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT. SEPTEMBER 22, 2018.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE

“Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.” (John 7:24)

There was a time when September meant going back to school, experiencing temperature changes along with shorter days, enjoying football games, and on a particular Saturday night – one could hear the well-rehearsed refrain from the TV: “There she is . . . Miss America.” The song came at the end of the program when only one of fifty women representing each state in the United States was crowned, after each had been judged on their beauty by the millions watching.  Originating in Atlantic City on September 8, 1921 as a “bathing beauty revue”, the competition has not been without controversy over the years. In 1969, for instance, as the contestants walked across the stage – protestors unfurled a bed sheet from the rafters containing a statement that read “Women’s Liberation” in large letters. Some women shouted “No More Miss America!” over the crowd in the first ever protest against the pageant. Outside hundreds of women took over the Atlantic City Boardwalk, carrying signs stating “All Women Are Beautiful.” The group condemned the consumerism surrounding the show and how the program valued a woman’s beauty more than her personality. Today, the contestants are judged on talent performances and interviews. There is no longer a swimsuit portion to the contest or consideration of physical appearance.

If we are fortunate enough to live very long, we realize that physical beauty wanes over time.  This even includes that of former Miss America contestants.  I love the story of the gentleman who, after many years of not attending a high school reunion, decided to go to his 50th.  As he walked into the venue where the event was being held – he opened the door of the gathering area, went in, walked around for a few minutes, then left and went home. As he later relayed his story to a friend of his, the friend asked why he decided to leave so abruptly.  He paused and thoughtfully planned his statement: “Well I decided to attend because I was looking forward to seeing some of my former classmates. But, you know, when I walked into that room – all I saw was old people.” No doubt we have all felt or will come to feel that way, if we are graced with the gift of age. We should remember that “The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old” (Proverbs 20:29).  While we may not be able to see the beauty of age in our contemporaries,  we first come to appreciate this attractiveness in our grandparents. Each September, National Grandparents Day is observed on the first Sunday after Labor Day honoring grandparents and the special role they play in our families and communities. Who better than our grandparents to remind us: “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God” (1 Peter 3:3-4).

Someone once said, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Literally translated, this means that the perception of beauty is personal and open to individual preference.  What may appear as beautiful to one person may be far less than that to someone else.  In this throw-away society, it has become far too easy to discard our relationships when we no longer classify them as attractive. We find that even our own self-esteem is at times based on how we look, as we are occupied in a world obsessed with outward appearance. Sometimes we think we are not worth much on the canvas of life. However, nothing in a person’s outward appearance impresses God. He looks at our inner beauty – the beauty of one’s heart. In those times when you are feeling ugly and downright worthless – remember that you are God’s Creation, and He thinks that you are His masterpiece. “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). When you start to believe that you are anything but beautiful, be assured that you are “a keeper” in God’s eyes. He sees you as more beautiful than you can imagine, and He is not finished with you yet.

REFLECTION: The Old Testament prophet tells us, “A voice said, ‘Shout!’ I asked, ‘What should I shout?’ ‘Shout that people are like the grass. Their beauty fades as quickly as the flowers in a field’” (Isaiah 40:6). How must we learn to apply this in our life and be confident that we are beautiful to God? When we are talking with someone who fails to know any personal attractiveness, how can we help them understand that Jesus has sacrificed Himself for us and that we should not refuse such a great investment?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT. SEPTEMBER 15, 2018.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

ALL THE RIGHT MOVES

So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart;                                                        and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.” (Psalm 78:72)

Bobby Fischer is known as one of the greatest and probably the most controversial chess player of all times. At the age of six, he and his sister learned how to play chess using the instructions from a set purchased at a candy store.  When the sister lost interest and his mother did not have time to play, Fischer was left to play many of his first games against himself.  Once when the family vacationed in Long Island, Bobby found a book of old chess games, studied it intensely, and became a self-taught student of the game. Fischer’s interest in chess became more important than school, and as his abilities were noted – he became a member of a chess club. He won the US Junior Chess Championship as the youngest-ever Junior Champion at the age of 13, thereby gaining national notoriety. Years later on September 1, 1972, Fischer defeated Russian champion Boris Spassky in the most publicized world title match ever played.  Bobby Fischer of Brooklyn became the first American World Chess Champion since it was established in 1866, allowing the title to pass out of Russian hands for the first time in 25 years.  Fischer was once quoted to have said. “All that matters on the chessboard is good moves.”

There are thousands of different chess moves waiting to be played. For the novice player – it may be difficult to know whether the move you are about to make is the right one. However most good players are not only anticipating their current move, but they are also strategizing about the road ahead. A player who simply makes the moves he likes and hopes to win by random tactics usually succumbs to the opponent who has a plan behind his moves. When I thought about the concept of personally making every move a good one, my mind reflected on a recent walk I took with a friend of mine.  The walking path which we use is along a stream in a local park, highly populated with geese and ducks. Many folks from the area stop by the area to feed the ducks.  This is fine, but when they do so – they frequently scatter their scraps over the walking path.  In their obliviousness, they create a ‘hang out’ location for the various foul who not only eat but also ‘eliminate’ on the pathway. I remember smiling to myself, thinking that being cautious where we walk is very typical of life itself.  If we don’t look ahead and anticipate our next move, we can unexpectantly find ourselves stepping right into a real mess.

As followers of Christ, we are called upon to guard our every step as well. We must set an example for others, realizing that even an inconsiderate act or opinion can cause another to falter.  It would be a bad move, for instance, to express a universal condemnation regarding divorce to a perspective church member and later learn that the person to whom you spoke it came from a divorced family.  The Apostle Paul put it this way: “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister” (Romans 14:13).  Faithful Believers learn through time that life is not a game of chess. While it is prudent to carefully consider each move before we act or speak, long-range plans are really in the hands of God. Most of us will convince ourselves that we have the strategic plan for our lives when, in reality, we often do not.

The only way we can tell the difference between a good game plan and a bad one is through our time with the Lord.  We want to be confident that the voice we are hearing is His. Jesus spoke this parallel: “The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice” (John10:2-5). The more we remind ourselves that God establishes our steps and plans, the more we can confidently follow Jesus and trust that as we take each move – He’ll direct us. In a game of chess, the skillful player soon learns that developing an endgame strategy is important. The Old Testament scripture counsels us to “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3). When we master this, we will have learned how to make all the right moves in life.

REFLECTION: Are you careful to weigh your actions and thoughts in the midst of those you do not know well? Do you listen for God’s voice and test the spirits (1 John 4:1) before you make important decisions?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT. SEPTEMBER 8, 2018.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

LOSING SIGHT OF THE CROSS

“He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.” (Colossians 1:20)

Rumors had abounded for years that a natural cross of snow lay hidden high in the rugged mountains of Colorado. Many claimed to have seen the cross, but others were unable to find it. Therefore it became known as Colorado’s elusive Mount of the Holy Cross. William Henry Jackson, an experienced wilderness photographer who had accompanied wagon trains to California, set out in 1873 to provide reliable proof of its existence. In the pre-dawn hours of August 24, Jackson prepared the heavy camera equipment he had carried up the mountain opposite the cross. He took his photos just as the first rays of the sun angled low across the crevassed face, emphasizing the lines of the cross. The best of the resulting photos became one of Jackson’s most famous images, and it ended any further doubts about its existence. Published in well-known mass-circulation magazines, his pictures became immensely popular and showed Americans a rugged western wilderness that most would never see firsthand.

It was discovered that there was nothing miraculous about the cause of the Mount of Holy Cross’ formation. After thousands of years of erosion, two deep ravines had formed in the steep rocky face of a mountain peak. Intersecting at a 90-degree angle, the ravines sheltered the winter snow from the sun well after the rest of the mountain snow had melted away. For a brief time, a nearly perfect cross of snow would appear on the rock face often melting away later in the summer. It prompted artists to paint and the poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to pen The Cross of Snow. Over time the land formation eroded and shifted the right arm of the cross to visibly fall off, and the image was lost forever. For certain hikers and climbers, the mountain is still a destination, but the feeling of any sort of sacred symbol has long departed with the collapse of the cross. All that remains are a series of photographs and a few artistic remnants from a few long dead landscape painters. It stands only in myth, in art, and in an elusive, secluded mountain summit waiting to be climbed by those willing to make the trek.

On one occasion when Jesus was twelve years old, His parents had lost sight of Him while they had been in Jerusalem for the Passover. “After the festival was over, and his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it” (Luke 2:43). Mary and Joseph had to search for three days to find Him again. But the interesting part of the story is that they, along with others, traveled an entire day before they missed Him. It isn’t that they lost their love for Him or their faith. They just lost Him. If Jesus’ parents can lose sight of Him, then it is certainly possible for us to do the same. When we first come to Christ, the cross is at the center of our faith. When we are busy with life around us – we become distracted, and often our spiritual lives are the first things to go. We don’t have time to read God’s Word. We don’t make time to pray, even to offer a brief thanks. We can’t afford to give anything to God, because we have allowed ourselves to become so preoccupied. When we permit the perks to take the place of essentials, we can easily lose sight of the cross. One wonders if the hymnwriter Isaac Watts was in the position when he wrote the lyrics of his well-known hymn:

“When I survey the wondrous cross, On which the Prince of glory died.
My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.”

The Apostle Paul said – “As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died” (Galatians 6:14). Just as the photographer went to prove the mountain cross in Colorado existed, we too need to ‘survey’ the Cross! It is important for us to refocus and appreciate its value in our lives when it begins to dim or gets lost completely. Whenever we lose something, we may retrace our steps and ask where we had it last. If we go back to that place, we often find it again. If you’ve found that you’ve lost the sight of the cross in the busyness of life, then you need to find your way back to where you were before. The good news is that even if we lose sight of Jesus, He never loses sight of us.

REFLECTION: Is your view of the Cross of Jesus clear today?  What are those things in your life that sometimes cause you to lose sight of it?  How might you refocus your routine to maintain a clear view?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT. SEPTEMBER 1, 2018.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

SHOPPING FOR ANSWERS

                          “Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD.                                                     Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3)

Through buying goods and then reselling them as a traveling salesman, Aaron Montgomery Ward of Chicago removed the middlemen at the general store. He strategically purchased large quantities of merchandise directly from the manufacturer and in turn resold the items at a lower price to his customers with a “satisfaction or your money back” guarantee.  His revolutionary idea led to the concept of a mail order catalog meant for the general public. The very first, published on August 18, 1872, consisted of a one-page sheet boasting 163 items.  In 1883, the company’s catalog, which became popularly known as the “Wish Book”, had grown to 240 pages and 10,000 items. In 1946, a book-lovers society included a Montgomery Ward catalog on its list of the 100 American books that had most affected American life, noting “no idea ever mushroomed so far from so small a beginning, or had so profound an influence on the economics of a continent, as the concept, original to America, of direct selling by mail, for cash.”

Eventually the extensive use of catalogs was complemented with retail outlets where perspective customers could touch and see items first-hand. At its peak, Montgomery Ward was one of the largest retailers in the United States. With increased competition from other large venders and the expansion of indoor malls, the company ceased its catalog in 1985 eventually closing all of its stores by the turn of the century.  Today what was once one of the most popular ways of shopping is remembered each year on August 18th as National Mail Order Catalog Day. One of the downfalls of the growing catalog business was the ability to sometimes meet demand. At times, customers would be notified that their shipment was out of stock, on delay, or perhaps no longer available.  When this occurs, even today – our lack of patience and desire for immediate gratification forces us to simply move on and look elsewhere. Unfortunately, that is true in most aspects of our existence not the least of which is our prayer life. Sometimes we petition God with our concerns, and when it seems like He isn’t going to answer – we become impatient and decide to shop for answers elsewhere.

Jesus said: “For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. You parents–if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him” (Matthew 7:8-11). God always wants what is best for His children, and that is often different than our desire. Then there’s a disconnect when He doesn’t always give us what we want. Some prayers that seem to go unanswered are simply instances in which God has lovingly overruled our wishes. He knows that what we have asked for is not best for us or perhaps others who are involved. It may be that our timing is not His timing, or He has some far greater purpose in mind. When we pray, we are engaging in the most precious and God-given act of communication with the One to whom we are accountable in all our affairs. God may often seem silent to us, but He never sends us away empty-handed.

We live in a consumer society and have become accustomed to getting what we want when we want it. Unlike ordering from a catalog that involves our will only, prayer involves God’s will also. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14). Even if prayer has not been answered, we must be faithful to continue to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). Then we will truly be living in the will of God. With regard to God’s answers to prayer – expect the unexpected. Some of the greatest gifts and deepest joys that God gives us often come wrapped in packages that are nowhere to be found in our wish book. Prayer is a bit different than the mail-order business. God doesn’t give us what we want; He gives us what we truly need.

REFLECTION: How often do you treat your prayer time with God like a ‘wish book’ mail order catalog? How do you react when your order is not filled or you get something different than what you wanted? Jesus prayed to His heavenly Father, “Nevertheless not My will, but Yours” (Luke 22:42). Are you able to follow His example and do the same?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT. AUGUST 25, 2018.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

NO GREATER LEGACY

“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care” (1 Corinthians 3:10).

When I was young, my parents would allow me to provide input into where the family would go for vacation. For a period of several years, I would often reply – “Washington, D.C.”  Of course, one of the places you must visit on a trip to the nation’s capital is The Smithsonian Institute.  In our naivety we did not realize that The Smithsonian was not just a building, but actually many. Collectively called the Smithsonian Institution, this world-renowned museum and research complex in the District consists of numerous museums, galleries and a zoo. The Smithsonian came about as a result of a bequest provided by a British scientist who never visited the United States and therefore aroused significant attention on both sides of the Atlantic. James Smithson died in Italy in 1829, leaving behind a will with a peculiar footnote. In the event that his only nephew died without any heirs, Smithson decreed that the whole of his estate would go to “the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an Establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” Six years after his death, his nephew, Henry James Hungerford, indeed died without children. In 1836, the U.S. Congress authorized acceptance of Smithson’s gift, amounting to a fortune in excess of a half-million dollars. After a decade of debate about how best to spend this bequest left to America from an obscure English scientist, President James K. Polk signed the Smithsonian Institution Act into law on August 10, 1846.

These days, boundless opportunities exist for those who have the means to establish a bequest. Most organizations to which one belongs would be blessed to have a portion or all of your estate deeded in their direction at the time of your passing.  Many such organizations have well established ‘legacy societies’ and planned giving staffers who will offer various funding opportunities in exchange for your donation.  Truth of the matter is that everyone leaves a legacy whether they plan to or not. Everything we say or do leaves the imprint of our lives on those around us. As long as there is breath in our body, there’s an opportunity to leave a negative legacy of despair or a rich legacy of hope. Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). Jesus sets the challenge for us to leave a legacy not of material possessions but of spiritual hope.  While there is nothing wrong with leaving our remaining estate to causes which would benefit God’s people, like Jesus – David realized the importance of passing on a spiritual legacy as well. When he was on his deathbed, he called on his son Solomon who would carry on his reign as king, saying: “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever” (1 Chronicles 28:9).

If you had godly parents, you were no doubt deeply affected by their faith. Parents have an awesome opportunity to bestow a spiritual legacy to their children. Proverbs 13:22 says that “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.”  An inheritance is not limited to money. It also includes character qualities like integrity, trustworthiness, and holiness. This spiritual wisdom can be passed from generation to generation and enables you to stake your claim on your descendants similar to the great apostle: “I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth” (3 John 1:4). What a shame it would be to focus on an earthly bequest and not leave behind what you have learned on your faith journey in this lifetime. While carrying out a successful financial strategy to leave something behind for those you care about may be important – the most important thing we can pass on to others is the riches available to those who love God through the sacrificial gift of His Son, Jesus. It would seem that without a doubt there is in fact no greater legacy.

REFLECTION: Take stock of where you are right now. Do you want to leave a legacy for the Kingdom of God but feel hindered or inadequate? Are you waiting for something to fall neatly into place, thinking only then God can use you? Consider the words of Paul to his faithful student in 2 Timothy 2:2 – “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”  Do this, and the spiritual legacy you leave behind will be rich indeed.

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT. AUGUST 18, 2018.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

DEAR DIARY

“Princes persecute me without cause, But my heart stands in awe of Your words.” (Psalm 119:161)

With the rise of Adolph Hitler in 1933, Otto Frank and Edith Frank-Hollander, both of German-Jewish heritage moved their family to Amsterdam to escape the escalating Nazi persecution of Jews. In Holland, Otto ran a successful spice and jam business. In 1942, he began arranging a hiding place in an annex of his warehouse in Amsterdam where his family took shelter out of fear of deportation to a Nazi concentration camp. They occupied a small space where they lived in rooms with blacked-out windows with another Jewish family and a single Jewish man. The entrance to the secret annex was hidden by a hinged bookcase where former employees of Otto and other Dutch Christian friends delivered food and supplies obtained at high risk. On her thirteenth birthday, Anne, the second daughter of the Franks, began writing a diary relating her everyday experiences and observations about the increasingly dangerous world around her.  In June 1944, Anne’s spirits were raised by the Allied landing at Normandy, and she was hopeful that the long-awaited liberation of Holland would soon begin. She wrote inspirational words once remarking that, “”We’re all alive, but we don’t know why or what for; we’re all searching for happiness; we’re all leading lives that are different and yet the same.”

For two years, Anne Frank kept a diary about her life in hiding that is marked with tenderness, humor, and insight. She made her last entry on August 1, 1944. Three days later, on August 4, their seclusion ended after twenty-five months with the arrival of the Nazi Gestapo. Anne and the others had been given away by an unknown informer, and they were arrested along with two of the Christians who had helped shelter them. They were sent to a concentration camp in Holland, and in September Anne and most of the others were shipped to the Auschwitz death camp in Poland.  Otto Frank was the only one of the ten to survive the Nazi death camps. After the war, he returned to Amsterdam and was reunited with one of his former employees who had provided covert support to his family. She handed him Anne’s diary, which she had found undisturbed after the Nazi raid. In 1947, her writings were published by Otto in its original Dutch as Diary of a Young Girl. An instant best-seller and eventually translated into more than 50 languages, The Diary of Anne Frank, as it later came to be known, has served as a literary testament to the nearly six million Jews who were silenced in the Holocaust.

The history of persecution is as old as human life on this earth. Certainly, there were many examples of persecution in the early Christian church. Jesus said that, if they persecuted Him, they would do the same to His followers: “they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name” (Luke 21:12). The Apostle Paul stated that Christian persecution is to be expected, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…” (2 Timothy 3:12). Today, millions of Christians are being judged, tortured and even killed for their love of God.   It makes praying, reading the Bible, and worshiping with fellow believers perilous to do. It is easy to turn a blind eye when the atrocities of persecution do not happen under our nose, but there may come a time when persecution will be a stark reality for all who choose to live the Christian life. In those situations, it will be difficult to look at the oppression as a blessing as we personally face fear and feel lost. However, Jesus reminds us – “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10). Even in the times when we face it, we can press on and not become disheartened. In the midst of her own persecution, Anne Frank penned these words: “As long as you can look up fearlessly into the heavens, as long as you know that you are pure within…you will still find happiness.” Finding happiness in the midst of persecution requires a strong faith in a loving Creator. Recently I heard about a parent trying to educate their child about the gifts of God. They said that bottom-line He provides us with three things: a body, a spirit, and a soul. We should begin each day by doing the following – stretch for your body, put a smile on your face for your spirit, and remember to thank God for your soul.  That’s pretty good advice. Consider it as you begin today’s journey by echoing the words . . . ‘Dear Diary’.

REFLECTION: Why is it important for us to affirm that God is sovereign, even in times when we witness persecution? How can we find “the secret of being content in any and every situation” (Philippians 4:12)?  In what ways can you serve as an example to others by demonstrating happiness during persecution?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT. AUGUST 11, 2018.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

FOR MEMBERS ONLY

“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.” (Philippians 3:20).

For most of us, there has been a time when we have profited from the application of the motto, “Membership Has Its Privileges.” Once the slogan of the American Express Card, the implication was that for the payment of an annual fee to have an Amex card, there were benefits to be had. This has been extended over the years through the offering of ‘members only’ store cards to online ordering memberships where those who pay a periodic fee will receive free expedited shipping and special access to other online services. The concept of somehow being part of an inner circle is not a new one. It certainly has been promoted over time by many fraternal organizations as well as limited memberships to organizations such as country clubs and professional associations. In doing so, the sense of community they create is sometimes criticized as being carried out at the expense of excluding or discriminating against others who might otherwise want to belong.

Following the American Civil War, the question of how to create a sense of belonging for those who had been brought here as slaves became part of the struggle of healing during the Reconstruction Period. Ratification of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution on July 28, 1868 attempted to resolve questions of African-American citizenship by stating that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States…are citizens of the United States and of the state in which they reside.” The amendment then reaffirmed the privileges and rights of all citizens and granted these citizens “equal protection of the laws.” In the decades which followed, the equal protection clause was cited by many African American activists who argued that evolving racial segregation denied them what they believed the law had intended. Indeed, there have been many Supreme Court cases challenging the concept of due process and equal protection. In addition – the ‘birthright citizenship’ of the amendment has raised modern-day controversy regarding the assumed citizenship of those whose parents have immigrated into the country illegally.

It’s interesting to reflect on the reference that citizenship plays in our faith journey. Recalling the faith shown by Abraham and Sarah, the Apostle Paul spoke these words: “All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:13-16). In some ways, their journey is also ours. We spend most of our life trying to belong, seeking inclusion, and at times determined to gain some sort of membership for our own earthly satisfaction. But as we give our life to Christ, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God…” (Ephesians 2:19).

It is important to realize that being a good citizen is complemented by being a good Christian. Our neighborhood, our town, and our state are enhanced when our citizenry membership is exemplified with a demonstration of our Christian values. After all, the very same ingredients that make a good Christian should also make a good citizen. You do not have to look far to see obvious examples of contempt and hate for our government officials, deteriorating civic pride, and outright disrespect for the symbols of our nation. As we model God’s character here on earth, we are honoring Him. Consider today how your words and actions convey where your citizenship lies. Enjoy the assurance of your eternal citizenship and be grateful for what Jesus did to secure your place, as He paid the cost for you and all who love Him.

REFLECTION: Do you have a membership in any organization that excludes others? Are you able to justify this exclusion? What happens to our relationships with God and community when we refuse or fail to participate in support of good government? How can you remain faithful to God and show your respect to those in authority, even if there are times you do not like them or disagree with their decisions?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT. AUGUST 4, 2018.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

THE WALK

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Stepping off the lunar landing module Eagle, American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the surface of the moon, 240,000 miles from Earth. As he made his way down the ladder, a television camera attached to the craft recorded his progress and beamed the signal back to Earth where hundreds of millions watched in great anticipation. At 10:56 p.m. on July 20, 1969 – Armstrong spoke his famous quote, which he later contended was slightly garbled by his microphone and meant to be “that’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” He then planted his left foot on the gray, powdery surface, took a cautious step forward, and humanity had walked on the moon. “Buzz” Aldrin joined him on the moon’s surface at 11:11 p.m., as they took photographs and planted a U.S. flag. Knowing that they were doing something unprecedented in human history, Aldrin felt he should mark the occasion. So he made the following statement: “This is the LM pilot. I’d like to take this opportunity to ask every person listening in, whoever and wherever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his or her own way.” In a not-often-told story, he then ended radio communication and there, on the silent surface of the moon, read a verse from the Gospel of John, and followed with communion. He later reflected – “It was interesting for me to think: the very first liquid ever poured on the moon, and the very first food eaten there, were the communion elements.”

Among the items the astronauts left on the moon’s surface was a plaque that read: “Here men from the planet Earth first set foot on the moon–July 1969 A.D–We came in peace for all mankind.” In doing so, these men left their mark in the history of space exploration. If you were asked who you feel left the greatest mark on the history of mankind, who would you name?  It might depend on what has influenced your life to that point.  Scientists might cite Newton, physicists possibly Einstein, or others could consider Edison as the greatest inventor. Churchill or Julius Caesar might be named as the greatest of all politicians, while Mozart and Beethoven would undoubtedly be at the top of the list of composers.  Humanitarians might look to Nelson Mandela or Mother Teresa. However, those who have fallen in step with Jesus as their Lord and Savior would not have to think about their answer.  In fact, Time even had Jesus Christ at the top of its list as the Most Significant Figures in History in 2013. Dr. James Allan Francis reminded us that Jesus “never traveled more than two hundred miles from the place where he was born. He did none of the things usually associated with greatness. He had no credentials but himself.” Yet no individual has “affected the life of mankind on earth as powerfully as that One Solitary Life.”

So, how is your walk going? Consider a journey you have committed to taking with another individual. When you walk with that person, you won’t be going in opposite directions. If you decide, for whatever reason, to do that – you won’t be able to effectively listen. You can’t enjoy them, you can’t share things with them, and you won’t be able to understand them. The same is true in your walk with the Lord. Referencing a journey with Christ, the Apostle Paul said – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). When you walk with the Lord, your will is going to align with His will. When you fall in step, walking side by side with Him – your focus will be on Him, and you will not falter. The Old Testament prophet put it this way: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21). We have all heard someone say how much easier it is to talk the talk then walk the walk. If you are unable to walk your talk, the worth of your words will be lost. When you are true to God’s Word, your walk will reflect His talk.  Someone once spoke this truth “In the end, it’s not the talk but the walk that matters.” The English Standard Version of The Bible puts it this way: “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him…” (Colossians 2:6).  Think of someone who you could honor at their funeral by saying, “This world was a better place because they walked here.” Wouldn’t it be great if someday the same could be said about you? Simply walk the walk.

REFLECTION: As you examine your journey with Christ, what areas of your walk with Him do you need to improve? How might you use others to truthfully advise you when your walk is not matching your talk? How will you commit to set an example for those who are drifting in a direction apart from God?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT. JULY 28, 2018.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

THE OLD BOOK

“The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)

Several decades before the fictional Dr. Spock of Star Trek fame became a household word, another Dr. Spock was making a name for himself providing child-rearing advice for millions of Americans. On July 14, 1946 – Dr. Benjamin Spock released his book, The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care, which would become one of the best-selling books of the twentieth century. Unlike his own mother’s fairly stern parenting style as well as leading child care experts prior to the 1940s – Spock encouraged a gentler approach to bringing up children, telling parents to trust their own instincts and common sense. Mothers heavily relied on Spock’s advice and appreciated his friendly, reassuring tone as he offered practical tips on everything from toilet-training to calming a colicky baby. Later in his life, he was motivated by politics, explaining, “It isn’t enough to bring up children happy and secure, you need to provide a decent world for them. And this is why I have expanded my horizon.”  While much of his advice is appropriate today, some has been replaced and even discredited. Spock suspected that he was being punished for his liberal politics. Some referred to him as the overly-permissive childrearing expert, even labeling him as the corruptor of a generation.

While the effectiveness of most advice books wanes with the evolving of each successive generation, there is one such book which has stood the test of time – The Holy Bible.  While many dismiss it because it references people and events from long ago, this doesn’t make it outdated or irrelevant. It tells us about an unchanging God and His eternal presence. Just as pertinent is the aspect of human nature as part of God’s very own creation. While our culture has developed over time, we need God no less than those who walked the earth thousands of years ago when the first texts were written. The Apostle Paul would have us know that the child-rearing advice and lessons for life we obtain in the scriptures is the best we will ever receive.  He says: “You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:15-17).”

Over eight decades before Dr. Spock published his book, George Washington Carver was born in 1864 near the end of the Civil War. He was the son of a slave, orphaned as a baby, and raised after the abolishment of slavery by his former owners, Moses and Susan Carver. Carver became a prominent African-American scientist and inventor, and he is best known for the many uses he devised for the peanut. In 1920, Carver spoke at the United Peanut Association of America’s convention. His success gained him an invitation to speak before Congress about peanuts and the need for a tariff. Carver captivated their interest by drawing them into his testimony about the many products he had made from peanuts. The story is told that when he was asked how it came to be that he knew so much about peanuts, he said he had learned it from an ‘old book.’  This prompted the question as to the name of the book. He replied that it was The Bible. Then someone asked if all the things he had learned about peanuts had come from The Bible? He replied that was not the case but that old book taught him much about the One who had created peanuts. “Then,” he said, “I asked Him what to do with them, and He showed me.”

God’s Word, as found in the Holy Scriptures, shows us the way to lead a blessed life. As he praised his Maker, the psalmist said, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). In those days, a lamp would only illuminate, at best, a few feet ahead of one’s steps at night. Sometimes in life, all we need is enough light to take the next step as “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). As we make our journey, we can take advice on that faith from lots of sources.  This might include the reading of an old book.  As you make your selection – pay attention to the One who guided its words, and know that any advice worth remembering will stand the test of time for all generations.

REFLECTION: Do you view God’s Word as an old book full of stories about how to live a good life? Or do you see it as a living, breathing document that has relevance until the end of time?  How would you provide sound rebuttal to someone who says that the truth of The Bible is that it seeks to justify itself?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT. JULY 21, 2018.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.