“Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder.                 Write them deep within your heart” (Proverbs 3:3).

Customer loyalty programs have now been around for decades. Beginning in the 1980’s with frequent flyer miles, they have evolved into almost every facet of our lives. There are hotel booking incentives, car rental programs, online point earnings, money back credit cards, and store savings via family and friends volume shopping. One convenience store that I frequent offers their own card specifically tailored to periodically reward me with free items identical to those that I purchase most often. One research study noted that consumers, on average, belong to over a dozen loyalty programs but only actively engage in half of those in which they are enrolled. Another such study highlighted that consumers are mainly interested in product discounts or getting cash back on their purchases but also note that their participation in most programs does not really drive any real sense of loyalty toward particular brands. Many also believe that loyalty program engagement is actually declining, which is not surprising.

We are trained to be wasteful consumers based on the messages we’re confronted with on a daily basis. It is not hard to understand why we have become labeled as a “throw-away society.”  Discarded products guarantee customers will replace them with newer models but not necessarily from the same company. As unmanageable as this is, even more bothersome is our proclivity for throwing away people. We easily tire of relationships and frequently do not invest the time to develop them. In his book, Loyalty: The Vexing Virtue, author Eric Felten writes: “We come and go so relentlessly that our friendships can’t but come and go too. What sort of loyalty is there in the age of Facebook, when friendship is a costless transaction, a business of flip reciprocity. Friendship held together by nothing more permanent than hyperlinks is hardly the stuff of selfless fidelity…How much is the anxiety we feel these days a function of the disheartening suspicion that, in a real jam, there might not be anyone we can count on?”

In our relationships with one another, Biblical principles call us to steadfast loyalty. There is no stronger evidence of this than the relationship between David and his friend Jonathan in the Old Testament. While Jonathan’s father, King Saul, sought to kill David – the two struck a lasting covenant between them. “At last Jonathan said to David, ‘Go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the LORD’s name. The LORD is the witness of a bond between us and our children forever’” (1 Samuel 20:42). In the New Testament, Paul speaks of a “loyal companion” (Philippians 4:3). Jesus reminds us that such loyalty is to be expressed in both our relationships with the Heavenly Father as well as our fellow man. This is evidenced in first two commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:29-31). If we follow this, we can be assured that His loyalty to us will be reciprocated: “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who maintains covenant loyalty with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9).

The problem with most of us is that our loyalty is divided at times. We are caught between the things of God and the things of the world. James called it ‘double minded.’ “Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do” (James 1:8).  That instability certainly hinders a deep relationship with God, but it likewise interferes with the loyalty in our human associations as well. It is safe to assume then that loyalty requires some work on our part. Woodrow Wilson is quoted as saying, “Loyalty means nothing unless it has at its heart the absolute principle of self-sacrifice.” Unlike the loyalty programs being promoted in our product world, we come to realize that it is not a commodity. It’s a two-way street. So, “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise” (Hebrews 10:23). Can we?

REFLECTION: Looking back on aspects of your life, can think of situations where you believed relationships as loyal but discovered otherwise? How is that different with God? What steps can you take to foster more loyal relationships with others and God? What degrees of sacrifice are you willing to make?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JULY 29, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5).

It’s one of my least favorite things. No matter what I do, I always seem to fail at this effort. “Metal,” I think to myself. “Anything metal.”  So I take off any jewelry, empty the change from my pockets, and place my car keys into the provided container. But anytime I go through a metal detector at an airport or other location, I always miss something. Sometimes it’s my belt. At other times, it’s my glasses. Inevitably, I set the darn thing off, am asked to step back, and think about what I might have overlooked. There is no forgiveness with those devices, and I usually end up feeling frustrated if not just downright stupid. I am so thankful that when it comes to grace, God is much more merciful.

For many years, I have heard the expression, “There but for the grace of God go I.”  I have used it myself, and I would suppose that many times I have quoted it improperly. On one such occasion, I was standing in line at a bargain store waiting, perhaps impatiently, for the lady ahead of me to pay for her purchases. She pulled out a few folded dollar bills and began to count out coinage, mostly pennies. I began to feel a degree of compassion for this individual, thinking that if she didn’t have enough – I would make up the difference. But I remained hesitant to jump in, not wanting to create any embarrassment and granting her the dignity to pay her way. I remember thinking to myself, “that could be me.”  Then the phrase came to mind – “There by the grace of God go I.” But I am not sure I used it in the context for which it was intended.

Often when we hear this expression, it is stated as an acknowledgement that another’s’ misfortune could be one’s own if it wasn’t for the blessing of the Almighty. While I believe it is true that God does bless us in different ways, I also feel it is incorrect to conclude that some are eligible for His grace while others are not. Grace is not some kind of dumb luck we receive, like the guy who gets through the metal detector easier than me. Grace is a gift we don’t deserve. Even so, it is available to all and our good works cannot earn it. The Apostle Paul stated it this way: “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them–yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Paul fully understood that grace was related to sin and that out of our sinful nature, God does for us what we are incapable of doing for ourselves. That is, He sets us free from condemnation.

If we look around our world, it is easy to see that we have become much more inclined to be accusing than forgiving. Our government officials are a great example of being quick to point a finger at each other. More times than not, the issues raised by one side are the same that the opposition has already committed. “It’s just politics,” they say. Jesus called it something else – hypocrisy. Yet even on a personal level, we look at what someone else has done and often label their sin far worse than our own. I’m not convinced it’s either wise or helpful to get into the business of starting to compare whose sin is greater. “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things” (Romans 2:1). I sometimes listen to a radio talk show personality reply to his callers as they cordially ask how he is doing with the statement, “Better than I deserve.” That should be the response from each of us who have grown to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior. For when it comes right down to it, we are all sinful. Fortunately, we are also equally loved and forgiven thanks to God’s gift of grace. There you go, and gratefully – there go I as well.

REFLECTION: How might your discussion of God’s grace be different for a Christian than a non-Christian? Do you sometimes find it difficult to rationalize that God’s grace is available to all even when they seem to be undeserving? What is the difference between a Christian who is motivated by grace and someone who performs good works to gain a right standing with God?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JULY 22, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.” (Psalm 145:3)

Each Fourth of July, the firework spectaculars are broadcast from different areas of our nation including Boston, Washington, D.C., and New York City. The musical performances seem to be finely-synchronized with the light shows in these network TV offerings. However, there is nothing quite like the “ooo, ahh” of the crowd when you experience an event like this in person. I well remember my first music concert, my first Broadway show, and my first major league sports event. Your favorite performers, songs and players take on a whole new persona when you are right there with them. Early in his career, I was privileged to see an up and coming singer in a very small venue with just a hundred or so others. After he became famous, I saw him again in a large arena. But the closeness of that first concert will always be a fond memory. I will also never forget taking my mother to see Barbra Streisand at Madison Square Garden. Looking down at the crowd from our high arena seating, we sighted several well-known personalities who had also come out that night to take in what was undoubtedly a presentation of a lifetime. I remember the excitement on my mon’s face as she said, “I have never quite seen anything like this.”  It remains a cherished memory with one of the all-time great vocalists.

Sadly, large venues have become a target for those who wish to do harm. For them, the opportunity to make a statement is often more pronounced when it can be achieved where large numbers of people can potentially be affected.  Yet, many continue to pay huge sums of money to see their favorite team in the Super Bowl or World Series.  It makes one wonder if the Lord Himself would appear today, would the masses accumulate as they did during Jesus’ time? Scripture tells us that then “crowds gathered around Him again, and, according to His custom, He once more began to teach them” (Mark 10:1). “And all the people were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all” (Luke 6:19). Would we be so bold today to express a desire to see Jesus, or would we be embarrassed? Yet we will gather to cheer for our favorite sports team. But would we dare lift our hands in a rally to praise God? We know the lyrics of the songs of our favorite music performers. But would we take the time to learn and recite the words of scripture that have provided comfort for us in times of need? We cannot help but wonder – “With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him?” (Isaiah 40:18).

David understood the greatness of God and was unapologetic to reveal his emotion: “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth” (Psalm 8:3-4,9). Perhaps if we, like David, would dare to search for the greatness of God, we wouldn’t get so discouraged with the godlessness of our culture and the state of the world. For just as He has created a universe that continues to mystify and astound us, so too has He fashioned a plan that far exceeds any threat we might need to face. Instead we will wait like the gravely wounded soldier who kept inquiring over and over “Where is He? Where is He?” Thinking that he was asking for his superior, his caretakers brought his captain to him.  But that wasn’t who he wanted to see. In a moment of coherence, the nurse said to him, “All day long you’ve been asking for someone. Whom did you want to see?” The soldier said that he was waiting for the One who was greater than any earthly master. Moments later, he saw Jesus and passed.

One day, those who reign and reside on earth will also see Jesus.  When He appears, it will be more remarkable than any fireworks display. It will be more dramatic than any concert or half-time extravaganza.  “For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes” (Matthew 24:27). Until then, our country must continue to remember what made us great in the first place. In the words of our 40^th President: “If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under” (Ronald Reagan).  Great is He who has kept us free!

REFLECTION: Who are those persons whom you idolize for having achieved a status of greatness? How do they equal or fail in comparison with the great things God has done for you and those you hold dear?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JULY 15, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Author and former President of the Moody Bible Institute, Dr. Joseph Stowell, once wrote for the Our Daily Bread devotional: “An acquaintance of mine was hunting with friends near Balmoral, the country estate of the queen of England. As they walked, he twisted his ankle so badly that he couldn’t go on, so he told his friends to continue and he would wait by the side of the road. As he sat there, a car came down the road, slowed, and stopped. The woman driving rolled the window down and asked if he was okay. He explained and said he was waiting for his friends to return. She said, ‘Get in; I’ll take you back to where you are staying.’ He limped to the car and opened the door only to realize that it was Queen Elizabeth!”  If, in fact, this event truly happened, the Queen may have put her on safety in peril in order to risk helping someone else who appeared to be more vulnerable than she.

These days, there are not many people who feel comfortable stopping to serve someone in distress. I can attest to that, because it happened to me recently.  As our family was traveling by car to visit a friend on what would normally be about a forty-minute drive, we needed to pass through a mountain range. As we did so on a beautiful Sunday morning, our vehicle suddenly had no acceleration. As I pulled off onto the narrow brim of the four-lane highway, I suddenly realized that we were situated in the valley of two tall mountains with no cellphone service to get help. As we paused to rethink the situation, we remembered an older phone which had been arbitrarily placed in a compartment without having been charged for a while. For whatever reason, which we attribute to a Higher Power, we were able to make the necessary connections we needed in order to get home. In the meantime, a call to 9-1-1 brought a state policeman our way who remained with our car until the tow truck arrived.

While we were not assisted by the Queen, the King of all Kings kept us safe and guided us through the stressful details of our journey that day. We can rejoice in knowing that His faithfulness to us isn’t determined by our actions or level of commitment at any given time. We have a direct line to Him, and it is never out of service.  David is a great example of someone who struggled through many life-threatening situations but who, even so, pursued God as his shield. David said, “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:8). David unswervingly asked God to intervene on his behalf. He knew he had nothing to fear, because in Him he found a fortress stronger than any opposition he might face. When we turn to God for help and protection, we begin to recognize Him as our refuge. If you are in relationship with Him knowing He is your King and you are His child, then no matter what life may bring your way, you will be eternally safe.

It is important for us to understand that just because God is our refuge does not mean He will never allow us to experience difficult or dangerous situations. You will remember that Jesus Himself led the disciples into a boat, knowing full well that a violent storm was brewing. The disciples were terrified, but Jesus calmed the storm and became their refuge (Matthew  8:23-27). When we are in God’s loving care and feel His presence, we can face even the most treacherous situations with confidence. No matter what our circumstance, the safest place to be is always in the center of God’s will. I love the imagery that the psalmist provides with these words: “This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him…He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection” (Psalm 91:2,4). This most certainly gives us the assurance we need when we find ourselves stranded in an unsettling situation along the sideline of one of life’s busy highways with no service except for what He alone can provide.

REFLECTION: Can you think of times when the scriptural words “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5) were evident in your life? How does knowing that God is our refuge provide a sense of peace even though nations may be in uproar and earthly kingdoms are falling? Are there ways you might help others to increase their appreciation for the refuge you can find in God alone?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JULY 8, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” (Romans 12:13)

One of the best compliments I can ever receive is after someone has been to my home, they express appreciation for my hospitality.  Recently, I had a group of friends over for a dinner. I furnished a few items, but the other attendees also brought various side dishes to share. It worked out really well, and there was a lot of great food. Prior to the occasion, there had been a lot of discussion about whether we should meet at a restaurant or gather at a home. Then one of the friends made the statement that it is “more intimate” when we get together at someone’s home. She meant that it was more heartfelt and easier to have conversation in that setting than it would be at an eatery. In some ways, the practice of hospitality has grown to be a lost art. It has somehow become less bothersome to go out to a restaurant than invite people over, clean up the house, and cook for them. For me, it is pleasing to have others visit in my home. Even if it does require some effort of preparation, there is a feeling of fulfillment in being able to provide a place of comfort for others. God’s Word tells us: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Hebrews 13:16).

I recently heard the story of an employee at an entertainment venue where parents invite the friends of their children for birthday parties or other special occasions. One of the mothers complimented a young man who worked at the establishment on how hospitable he was with the guests.  He indicated that he was just doing his job while earning money for school, and he stated that he appreciated her comments because very few people ever said much to him. To encourage him, she said, “But just think, here you are being so gracious in this job you probably don’t like all that much. Can you imagine how well you are going to do if you apply the same enthusiasm someday to a job you really like?”  It made the young man’s day.  Contrast that with the attitude of an acquaintance of mine who invited a former coworker to stay with their family anytime she was passing through the area for her new traveling job. After she took them up on the offer twice within the same year, they complained that the former coworker had taken advantage of their generosity. I couldn’t help but remember the scriptural passage, “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9).

Part of the challenge of hospitality is to extend your graciousness to strangers. Jesus stated it this way: “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:12-14). I am reminded of the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). While most of us concentrate on the example set by the passer-by to help someone who was in distress, we forget the lesson that we can also learn from the innkeeper who served as the host and caretaker after the Samaritan departed. While he was given a stipend to take care of the injured man – he took on the greatest responsibility, having no assurance whether he would ever be fully reimbursed (even though the Samaritan gave indications he would do so).

The Greek word “hospitality” is translated to mean “love of strangers.” In the Old Testament, the prophet Elisha was shown hospitality by a wealthy woman who provided food and lodging for him whenever he passed through (2 Kings 4:8-17). Jesus and His disciples depended entirely on the hospitality of others as they ministered from town to town. The essence of hospitality is showing kindness and compassion.  It is a symptom of the joy that is found within our heart and resides deep within one’s soul. When we realize that God constantly shows grace toward us, we also come to understand that receiving God’s generosity deteriorates and dies if He doesn’t flourish in our own hospitality to others. It’s an intimacy we can comprehend only when we truly recognize Him through the expression of our faith.

REFLECTION: Can you reflect on a time when a complete stranger displayed graciousness on your behalf? How can we maintain a constant attitude and practice of hospitality for others? Are there ways we might demonstrate a readiness to welcome people who aren’t ordinarily part of our lives?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JULY 1, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” (Matthew 17:20)

We crawl into our car to conduct one last visual check making sure we haven’t missed anything.  The tires have been checked, the oil has been changed, the navigation system has been loaded with each of the estimated destinations, and all of the emergency likelihoods have been anticipated.  Having done everything possible to assure a successful trip, we back out of the garage and begin to make our way toward a long-awaited getaway. We are as secure as we can possibly be, but we have no guarantee we will ever get there.  Maybe our trip is a costlier once-in-a-lifetime venture by plane to a far off-destination, or a cruise aboard a luxurious passenger ship offering amazing ports of call. As we finalize the details of our journey, we are given the opportunity to purchase travel insurance. We weigh the options like becoming ill, having a family emergency, or other possible reasons for cancellation, and we wonder if the extra cost is worth it. The truth is that most days the deliberate acts we take are based on the experience that we have done them before, and everything has been okay.  But when it comes to heading off for parts unknown – things are a little different for many of us. There’s a lot more to consider.

Our faith-walk is a lot like that as well. Jesus often spoke about how faith, or the lack of it, will directly affect our ability to be an effective follower. At Jesus’ prompting, His disciple Peter walked on water. “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” (Matthew 14:30). On another occasion, a man approached Jesus with his son who was afflicted with seizures, kneeling before Him saying: “I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him” (Matthew 17:16).  In both instances, He scolded them for their lack of faith. There were times, however, when He was amazed at the faith others showed. Once He was approached by a Roman soldier who was grieved by the suffering condition of his ailing servant. “Jesus said, ‘I will come and heal him.’ But the officer said, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed’” (Matthew 8:7-8). “When Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who followed Him, ‘Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith’” (Matthew 8:10).

God’s Word is filled with stories of faith, frequently demonstrated by a surprising cast of characters. One of those is featured in the Old Testament story of Rahab, a prostitute woman in ancient Jericho who saved two spies who had been sent by Joshua to measure the defenses of the city. People had told her how God helped the Israelites during their journey to Canaan. She stated to the men: “For the LORD your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below” (Joshua 2:11).  Knowing that her city would be attacked and destroyed for its wickedness and idol worship, she protected the men and helped them escape with the promise that they would provide safe passage for her and her family, even if they slaughtered everyone else in Jericho.  When it was time – “The men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, mother, brothers, and all the other relatives who were with her. They moved her whole family to a safe place near the camp of Israel” (Joshua 6:23). Rahab trusted God to save her, and she wanted to join His people. So God gifted these things to her, because of her faith. Having special significance for Christians, she is among four women listed in Matthew’s gospel as ancestors of Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 1:5-6).

We find in Rahab’s life the inspiring story of each of us who have failed through sin but been saved by grace. It’s not an insurance package that we can purchase, for Jesus has already paid our premium with His death. What an awesome gift when we comprehend that faith tough enough to withstand difficult times is not created by our feelings or even what we perceive with our physical senses. It must be based first and foremost on what we know about God. It’s an insurance package worth having and holding onto.

REFLECTION: As you look back over your life, can you see times that you were like Peter and sinking in the water for lack of faith? How do Rahab and the Roman soldier provide direction for your faith walk? Can you think of other Biblical or personal examples where faith insured a positive outcome?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JUNE 24, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the               clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”                           (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

At the age of five, a boy from India by the name of Saroo got separated from his older brother. Searching for his sibling, the young lad boarded a train, fell asleep, and traveled for days before he was able to get off. Now alone in the large city of Calcutta – he finds himself hungry, afraid and unable to speak the language. He ends up in a state-sponsored orphanage from where he is blessed to be adopted by an Australian couple. He grew up in Tasmania with nurturing parents and a somewhat troubled brother, who was also adopted.  As he progresses into his twenties, he is bothered by the fact that even many years later his family might still be wondering what happened to him. He embarks on an all-consuming journey to find his way back to them, with only a few vague memories of his past for assistance. Utilizing online digital mapping software, he eventually identifies his birthplace and travels back to find his biological mother and younger sister still living in the same village. There he has an emotional reunion, as he learns that his brother was killed on the same night in which they were separated decades before. His mother never gave up hope and believed that one day her missing son would return. The wonderful reunion story can be found in the non-fiction book A Long Way Home or viewed in the Oscar-nominated 2016 film Lion.

Not all reunions are quite so dramatic. A friend of mine told me about an experience she had at a retirement luncheon. The event was in conjunction with an anniversary celebration of the company for whom she had been employed.  While the gathering was very nice, there were a number of people who had been inadvertently omitted from the list of invitees. This evoked some emotional upset, ranging from hurt feelings to anger. While the employer made a good faith last-minute effort to correct the situation, there were those who felt slighted or assumed that they were intentionally missed. Maybe you have had a similar experience as part of a large family or high school reunion committee. You may remember that attempting to find those folks who have not been in the fold for a while can sometimes be difficult. Or you may have been one who was missed, knowing exactly how it felt to be excluded.

Perhaps the best reunion story ever told came from Jesus in the Parable of the Son found in Luke 15:11-32.  It is the well-known tale of a man with two sons, the younger of whom asks his father for his portion of the estate. Upon its receipt – he departed to another country, lived a wild life, and squandered his wealth. Finding himself poor and destitute in the midst of a famine, he “came to his senses” (v 17) realizing that returning home as a hired servant would be better than the circumstances in which he found himself. As he goes home he throws himself at the mercy of his father, surprised that he is greeted by a loving and compassionate parent. The reunion is a bit clouded when a jealous brother appears, discovering that the red carpet has been rolled out for his vanished brother. After being confronted with rage by the son who has been faithful, “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!'” (v 31, 32).

This reunion story reflects the amazing patience that God demonstrates for us. Even when we act selfishly, He indulges us. He yields out of the respect for the freedom He Has given us, desiring that we will learn our lesson and come back to Him. God’s children never have to experience permanent separation, if they repent their misdoings and obey His laws. When we do so, we realize that own place is secure and our heavenly reward is salvaged. One day you and I will participate in a great reunion with our friends and loved ones who shared a belief in Jesus, the Son of God. It was He who said that “just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions” (Matthew 7:20). We should, therefore, establish actions He would desire. For when it’s time for the reunion, we’ll assure our place on the list not forcing Him to say, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23).

REFLECTION: Why is the concept of reunions so important to Christians?  How would you speak with a new believer who is concerned about reuniting with other loved ones in Christ?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JUNE 17, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

I walk in a local park most weekdays with a close friend. Because we nearly always walk about the same time each day, we have gotten to know other folks who do likewise.  One older gentleman by the name of Harry maintains a regular presence with his dog.  We frequently engage in conversation with Harry who is in his late seventies. Sometimes we have wondered if Harry doesn’t become a bit too adventuresome for his age. This became apparent on one occasion when we observed him walking on the top of a barrier wall located between the walking path and a creek on the other side.  When we asked Harry if he wasn’t concerned about falling, he indicated that he had to follow where the dog decided to take him. When he disappeared from our routine some months afterward, we were anxious that he might be having health problems. Later when we did run into him, he told us that as he and his dog leave the house he allows the pet to direct their walk. If he heads for the car, they come to the park. Otherwise, the dog leads him on a different adventure through the neighborhood. I considered how many of us would tolerate our pet setting the agenda for the path we would follow that day. I’m sure I wouldn’t.

The month of June is one of those months when many plans are laid.  Families strategize about upcoming summer vacations. The weather forecast will often dictate whether one can pack lightly or if preparations for varying climate changes must be made. Depending on the ages of the persons who are going, the balance between relaxing and entertainment options must be taken into account for each participant. If the event being finalized happens to be our wedding, most likely confirming all the last-minute details are executed assures that the special day will come off without a hitch. Or if one happens to be sitting on a folding chair at an outdoor commencement, they just might be dreaming of making plans to change the world even before they receive that diploma or move their tassel from one side of the cap to the other. Plans can be exciting, but we can also find ourselves drowning in the concern for the many details.

While I haven’t been able to discover exactly who said it, I find that I can personally identify with the expression – “If the Lord is willing and creeks don’t rise.” I think we would all be better off if we subscribed to this old adage. It acknowledges the fact that we can plan all we want, but there is no guarantee that the path we lay out today will ever come to fruition tomorrow. James stated it this way in the New Testament: “Look here, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit’ How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog–it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.’ Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil” (James 4:13-16).

While there is nothing incorrect and it is often necessary that we make preparations for our ensuing days – it is probably not a bad idea to sometimes pose the question, “So what’s my Plan B?” What if God takes hold of this idea I have, this relationship I have developed, or this recognition I have received and nudges me in a direction I have never even considered? What if the plan you have been formulating over time is not within His will for your life? Those who are seeking maturity in the faith come to realize that making plans without seeking God’s will is a little bit like a quarterback who finds himself in the middle of a game without a playbook. If you are making decisions based primarily on what makes you happy, then your priorities may very well be out of focus with what He desires for you. Then you are in danger of stumbling at every turn. While we don’t always realize it – God often calls us from a place of vulnerability at the most unexpected time. So be ready to “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3).  After all, if we don’t consider God’s will as part of our planning – we may just  as well be following the whim of an old dog.

REFLECTION: How could you live your life in such a way that it would bring the most glory to God? Consider the challenge offered in Matthew 6:33: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”  How can you place His will first in your life?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JUNE 10, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” (Hebrews 6:12)

As I pulled up the article about my favorite major league baseball team, I was intrigued by its title. The team has not contended in the post-season for many years, and the fan base is starting to get restless.  Those in management must soon provide answers to some important questions. They include: Do we have any players currently on the team whom we can build around?  Who do we have in our minor league system that might be able to give some spark and provide some energy to a team who is inconsistent? Or is it time to just sell off and buy some pieces who will give this franchise the impetus it so badly needs? The title of the article was “Are We There Yet?”  I laughed, thinking to myself that these are the same whining words that will soon resonate from the back seat of many a mini-van loaded with families about to embark on vacation destinations all across America.

In 2016, Chrysler provided a positive application on its Pacifica’s rear seat Uconnect theater system. The name of the app?  You guess it . . . ‘Are We There Yet.’ Similar to data one is able to retrieve from a GPS, restless children are now furnished with the information they need without resorting to the traditional annoyance of nagging. According to marketing reports, “the app displays the distance remaining to the destination and estimated arrival times, all presented in fun, colorful, child-friendly graphics.”  Now if only a similar app could be invented for the new graduate who is ready to change the world in their first job.  Or for the rest of us, for that matter, when our patience is dwindling thin as we wait for an answer to a medical test, guidance from our company about possible downsizing, or whether or not the loan will come through to finance that new home we have been planning for years. While generations of children have echoed the accustomed refrain “are we there yet” – they grow into adults who continue the all-too-familiar question with varying degrees of impatience and uncertainty.

How many times Moses must have heard that question from the Israelites! Before rescuing them from slavery and leading them out of Egypt, Moses provided information that the Lord would lead them to “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8). However, they first spent forty years wandering in the wilderness, because they became convinced they could not banish the current inhabitants of the land (even though God told them they could). Failing to trust and obey, their lack of patience and belief in God’s word brought forth His wrath. This resulted in their curse as nomads and eventual demise as an unbelieving generation who never stepped foot into the Promised Land. Only a few faithful survived. Centuries later, Paul wrote: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled. And who was it who rebelled against God, even though they heard his voice? Wasn’t it the people Moses led out of Egypt?  And who made God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it the people who sinned, whose corpses lay in the wilderness? And to whom was God speaking when he took an oath that they would never enter his rest? Wasn’t it the people who disobeyed him? So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest” (Hebrews 3:15-19).

This truth is no different for us today. He will never lead us where His grace cannot provide for us or His power cannot protect us. God wants us to come out of the wilderness and find rest. Therefore, be patient remembering, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9). Put away the regrets of yesterday and learn to live more in the moment, looking forward to what lies ahead. In life, it will sometimes seem as if we are wandering in circles. We want to ask God, “Are we there yet? How much longer?” At such times, it helps to remember that the journey, not just the destination, is important to God. He uses it to humble us, test us, and show us what is in our hearts.

REFLECTION: Is there something in your life that you know God is asking you to do but upon which you have not acted due to fear or lack of faith? What action steps might you put in place to get from here to there? How might you explain to another person of faith that what sometimes appears to be a non-answer is God’s was of taking us on a journey where He draws us to a place of total dependence on Him?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JUNE 3, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:17)

As he stood up to speak at his friend’s funeral, he enthusiastically said these words: “Jim always showed up.” He went on to explain that his buddy predictably followed up on things he had heard about. If he went to a service club meeting and they had a community event scheduled that upcoming Saturday, Jim would be there rain or shine. If he became aware that a neighbor was having a difficult time completing a project, he would stop by to offer assistance. When leaders of his church would ask for volunteers, he’d always lend a hand. In those troublesome times when a friend or family member was hurting and needed to feel someone’s presence, Jim would always be on hand even if he didn’t quite know what to say. He always showed up, and those who had been the benefactors of his presence knew just how much he would be missed. For you see – Jim was a ‘doer.’

The story is told of a pastor who was holding a Bible Study at his church. He was teaching about the principles and promises of the scripture. As part of his instruction, he was talking with the participants about how to affirm these lessons by personally applying them in their daily lives. He felt like the group had been listening intently, so as the end of the hour was nearing – he decided to review.  He asked the question, “Now what do we do with these commands we have been discussing?”  The attendees were quiet as one older lady lifted her voice and stated, “Well I highlighted them all in yellow.”  Not quite the application the pastor had in mind. James put it this way: “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves” (James 1:22).  Some translations imply that if hearing the word is all we do, we are leading a life of deception and our religion will lack worth and significance. James goes on to say, “For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like” (James 1:23-24).

Only those who look at the Word and submit to it will be blessed. Those who take only a passing glance and lack concern for how they act are not embracing the opportunity to change and serve. By using a parable, Jesus illustrates that God’s blessing comes from obeying the truth in addition to knowing it. “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (Matthew 7:24-27). Being a carpenter, Jesus understood the difference between a well-constructed house and an inferior one. His parable demonstrates the understanding that building a house without a stable foundation is no different than making a life without lasting substance.

As a result, we must choose how we are going to live out our days.  Will we identify the principles of a Christian life by filling our Bible with yellow highlights? Or will we take action, be a doer, and live out God’s Word in how we act and do onto others?  Regardless of the storms we face, we will show our trust in Him when we decide to build on a strong foundation. As in the words penned by the hymn lyricist, we will then be able to recite that old familiar refrain – “On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand” (Edward Mote). So, make a conscious effort to become a doer.  Don’t be a “do as I say” parent; set an example your child will want to emulate. Count your many blessings, as you reach out to others who are less fortunate. When you say you will pray for someone, be intentional about doing so. Treat others as you would want to be treated. Speak with kindness, and show forgiveness. Proverbs 24:3 reminds us: “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established.” For if you truly are a doer, they will uphold the strength of your foundation.

REFLECTION: If you were asked to describe your spiritual foundation, would you be more apt to use the words “solid rock” or “sinking sand”?  Can you recall a time when you personalized and followed God’s command and, in turn, received a blessing? How can you begin to apply something God already told you to do in His Word that you haven’t yet implemented?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., MAY 27, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.