“One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” (Luke 18:1)

I looked out the window and saw the mailman across the street, so I decided to meet him on my porch. Watching him work his way from house to house, I heard him talking to himself. As he came onto my front walk, I realized that he had a hands-free device and was engaged in a phone conversation. He thrust a handful of mail in my direction without any form of greeting, turned and walked away.  I had a similar response then to the way I feel whenever I am at the grocery store and the cashier is having a personal conversation with another store employee. I want to say, “Hey, I am here. Pay attention to me.”  I think that is also a good indicator as to how some people pray, at times viewing themselves as God’s faithful customer. Although they may not have had a good conversation with Him for a while, when they do have a need – they expect His close attention with immediate results.

Evangelist D. L. Moody told the story of two Christian women who were burdened for their unsaved husbands. They agreed on a fundamental plan that they would each spend an hour every day praying for the salvation of their men. After seven years, they could see no progress. They were discouraged and debated giving up. But the women committed themselves to lifelong perseverance and rededicated themselves to the task. Three years later, one of the women was awakened in the night by her husband who was in great distress about his soul. As soon as the sun rose, she hurried off toward her friend’s house to tell her that God was about to answer her prayers. She was astonished to meet her friend coming from the opposite direction with the same news. Ten years of unyielding prayer was crowned with the conversion of both husbands on the same day.

In teaching His disciples about prayer, Jesus told the Parable of the Persistent Friend. He said: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat. And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ ‘But I tell you this–though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened” (Luke 11:5-10). This is not the only time that Jesus encouraged persistence in prayer. He wants us to keep praying for what we need, even if it seems to be taking a long time for our prayer to be answered.

In the United States, a National Day of Prayer is held annually on the first Thursday of May when citizens are asked “to turn to God in prayer and meditation.” While observances such as these cannot be minimized, God’s expectation is that we personally pray a bit more regularly. The Apostle Paul said that we should “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Can we become too bothersome as we repetitively petition God for answers to prayer?  I don’t think so. In the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), Jesus modeled that we should pray for “our daily bread” to fulfill our basic needs. Included in those are nutrition, warmth, security and physical well-being. When you are praying for the needs of others, be assured that God does not get bored with your recurring requests. If you maintain a prayer list – know that it’s not about needing to remind God, but it’s more about the continued connection you are maintaining with Him. He wants to have an ongoing relationship with you, not just a “when all else fails – then pray” association.  Nothing is more pleasing to our Father in heaven than direct, unrelenting, and persevering prayer. It keeps us humble and demonstrates our total dependence on Him.

REFLECTION:  What kind of things can happen in our lives that can cause us to lose hope and fail to maintain consistent prayers? Can you think of an example where you prayed for a very long time and eventually got an answer to that prayer in a different way that you expected? How would you reassure others who have become discouraged because they feel their prayers have gone without response?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., MAY 13, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders.” (Psalm 78:4)

“Once upon a time in a land very far, far away . . .” They were the opening words to some of our favorite childhood stories. Sometimes they were told at bedtime or another special time of day, and our eyes would be wide open with a deep gaze of anticipation. Whether it was a fairytale like Alice in Wonderland or Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss, the art of storytelling was passed down through the generations. These stories stimulated our imagination and pretty much insured that as we grew slightly older, we would be making up our own tales as we dared to outdo our friends with a ghost story at our first sleepover. I can still recall short stories and poems recited by my grandmother which somehow also became etched into my memory. The stories told by parents and grandparents help us to understand their history and our heritage, developing strong and loving bonds. Dating back to a simpler time before technology took over, they became one way that our ancestors lived on long after they were gone.

As he looked out at the congregation, he prompted them saying just two words, “It’s Friday” – to which they shouted in reply, “But Sunday’s comin.” The speaker was Rev. Tony Campolo who is one of the best Christian story tellers there is. He recalls preaching in his home church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania decades before. On that particular Sunday when several ministers would speak in this African American Church, he was really preaching his heart out to an urging congregation. After he finished, he sat down by his pastor and said something like “bet you can’t top that” to which the elderly Black minister said, “Son, sit back cause the old man is gonna do you in.” Campolo said for the next hour and a half his pastor preached one of the best sermons he has ever heard using the recurring phrase “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s comin.” The theme of the message illustrated how dark and gloomy things appeared for the followers of Jesus at Calvary. But the good news is that it did not end there, for it was only Friday. The motivational message goes on to reinforce that when Sunday arrived, everything changed.

If we are lucky, we too have memories of special times when we were inspired by a Bible story after bedtime prayers, or as we gathered with our friends during the children’s message at church or during a summer Bible School. One of the best storytellers was Jesus who would frequently use parables to illustrate a truth or moral lesson. He was once asked by His disciples why He spoke in parables to which He replied, “To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them” (Matthew 13:12).  The Lord’s parables are rich in imagery and not easily forgotten. It’s been said that the parables of Jesus are earthly stories with a heavenly meaning. They are a blessing to those with willing ears. But for those who were unwilling to hear His message, they did not understand and were declared spiritually deaf.

A good story teller may at some point publish a novel. But just as well, they could become a songwriter or capture the hearts of children at a Saturday morning public library reading hour. Or just for a moment, they might rekindle the fractured memory of a nursing care resident with dementia as they share the reading of a once-familiar scripture or a verse of a frequently sung hymn somehow retained in the cobwebs from Sunday School decades before. Good stories invite us to experience make-believe life through their fictional characters, but God’s story invites us to experience truth through Christ’s Word. Paul pleaded: “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:14). We should not allow ourselves to become complacent In assuming that Bible stories and old hymns are such a precious part of our heritage that they will always be remembered. God has chosen people to be the primary communicators of His gospel. He has entrusted us to be His storytellers. Take time to share His great story, so it becomes part of theirs.  If not you . . . then who?

REFLECTION: Has storytelling been part of your family tradition?  How have you made an effort to keep it alive and, in particular, share those personal and Biblical reflections of faith?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., MAY 6, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED

“Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?”  (Job 37:16)

A friend of mine told me recently that she had contacted a lawn care service because she had concerns about the increased number of weeds in her lawn. The phone representative asked for her email and home address so that additional information could be sent out to her. During the conversation, he said, “I can see that you have a really nice home” as he described her house and its surroundings with detailed accuracy. She stated that at one point she was a bit “creeped out” with the fact that he could see her home so clearly. She discontinued the conversation and told the representative that she would call back later if there was further interest. I informed her that it’s easy to see your house from space using internet software that grabs imagery from thousands of earth observation satellites. While the pictures displayed on the many available tools rely on historically-captured images, we are quickly moving into an era where ‘real time’ viewing from space will be the norm.

I can understand that it is somewhat disconcerting to think that someone has the ability to look down on us. It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, “Big Brother is Watching.” As technology is developed, just imagine satellites able to check out our neighborhoods for what kind of car we drive, whether packages have been delivered to our front porch, or zoom in with high resolution to see what kind of food we are having for the weekend picnic on our deck. New terminology like ‘cloud storage’ only adds to the wonderment, causing some to question just where our personal information is being stored and who has access to it.  But as a society we like the expediency of being able to access our files from anywhere or have the ability to start watching a movie on one device and finish it on another without missing a scene. In many ways, we appear willing to sacrifice some of our privacy in order to gain optimal performance and immediate discovery to whatever we desire.

The reality is that ‘the cloud’ (as it has come to be known) is far from some mist floating overhead. It’s a very sophisticated network of information storage enabling quick retrieval for our convenience. Just for fun one day, I pulled out my iPhone and asked Siri where she lives. The response: “Wherever you are, that’s where I am.” I thought to myself, “Why, that’s rather scriptural.” God spoke to Jacob in a dream, stating “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15). After the death of Moses, the Lord spoke to Joshua: “This is my command–be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Therefore, it should not surprise us that Jesus affirmed this same message after His death and triumphal resurrection. In what has come to be known as The Great Commission, He reassured those closest to Him stating, “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Isn’t it inspiring to know that we have a God who loves us so much that He is always watching over us and can reach us from anywhere?  That means that even in the most turbulent times and in the most unpredictable places, He can protect us. He is not trapped somewhere in the cloud. Our God is all-knowing; He is omniscient. The psalmist David understood that God’s omniscience is personal and relational. “You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home… Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand” (Psalm 139:2-3, 6). God knows where you are and what you are thinking about this very moment.  He is able to view us in ‘real time.’ That should give us great comfort in an age when we might wonder what the motives for others who are looking down on us might be.

REFLECTION: Have you ever thought about the immediate access we have to God? Why do you think we sometimes become overwhelmed with the volume of information available to us today and somehow forget that God never becomes burdened with His watchful care for each one of us?

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

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

Since the advent of the digital video recorder, commonly referred to as the DVR, it has become possible to ‘binge watch’ multiple episodes of your favorite show at one time. With the explosion of online streaming services, you can start a series from the beginning and catch up at your leisure. The only problem is if you hang out with other fans of the show who assume that you are at the same episode, they may ruin it for you by revealing one or more key turn of events. That’s why movie previews or appearances of stars promoting newly released movies never discuss critical scenes.  Their desire is to entice you into wanting to see more but never to tell you too much.  They want to be teasers but at no time spoilers.

Have you ever given a book to someone to later find out that before deciding to devote their time to reading it, they looked at the last chapter?  Most people cannot understand why someone would want to do that. However, there are folks out there who have to know the ending before they will dare to invest in the beginning. Often those individuals do not grow very deep in their relationships.  They will only commit so far, because they lack the ability to feel secure in their decisions without knowing how things will eventually turn out.  In some ways, our society has also moved in this direction. Unless there is definitive scientific evidence of how something came to be, it encourages skepticism. There are times that sort of doubt is true for each of us in our faith as well, if we try to define God in human terms. The Old Testament prophet cautions us: “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine” (Isaiah 55:8).

I am always amazed at the rebirth of our earth each Spring. Martin Luther said, “Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone but in every leaf of springtime.” The fact that plants become dormant and then revitalize in the warmer seasons of the year is nothing short of a miracle.  Botanists can clarify the growth, biochemistry and development of plants. But if we keep asking the basic question ‘how’ – they will eventually reach a point where any explanation defies logic and can only be attributed to something beyond normal reasoning. Jesus affirmed this when He said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come” (Mark 4:26-29). The storyline is somehow incomplete without the provision of a higher power.

It is easy to appreciate how the disciples became confused when Jesus began to talk about leaving them to be with the Father. He said, “You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:4-5). It was as though they had started a novel, were told about the ending, but were missing the intervening chapters for further understanding. Jesus said. “Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do” (John 14:11). And therein lies the foundation of our faith: Jesus assertion that He was the Son of God, who was crucified, and three days later would rise from the dead thereby confirming He was who He claimed to be. If Christ is not risen, then as Christians, everything we proclaim to believe would be worthless. Paul stated it frankly: “And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless” (1 Cor. 15:14). For the Christian, what might otherwise be our final chapter is good news. When we die and someone arbitrarily says, “They’re gone” – the answer to the question, “Where?” has already been promised.  For “He is not here. He has risen” (Luke 24:6). It’s a spoiler alert worth sharing but indeed not the end of His story . . . nor ours.

REFLECTION: How would you explain to a new Christian that the existence of their faith is grounded in the resurrection? What are some things about God that you just have to accept as being beyond human comprehension? Why is it not necessary to understand all the details, as long as we learn to trust God?

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

“He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.” (1 Timothy 2:6) 

Several years ago, a survey was taken involving people in line for free tattoos at a New York City nightclub. When asked if they would get a tattoo if they had to pay for it, 68% stated they would not. However, here they were having something done to their bodies that was practically permanent simply because it was free.  I used to find it amusing when I would attend trade shows where companies would display their products or services utilized in my profession. Vendors would give away anything imaginable from pencils and mugs to drawing entries for a larger prize, just to get you to visit their booth. The smart ones learned to engage you in conversation to obtain your contact information before they would give you the free stuff. I was surprised how many of my colleagues would participate in this monotonous chit chat for hours simply to get their gift bags filled with these giveaways.

It’s true for most of us at one time or other that the opportunity of getting something for nothing is enticing. I used to appreciate the garage where I would take my car to be serviced because inevitably when I went there, they would give it a courtesy wash. It kept me going back for many years until the manager changed, as did the service. An observant restaurant owner will admit that a complimentary glass of wine provided to a frequent patron will promote loyalty and recurring business. I well-remember when I bought my first car that the manufacturer was endeavoring to increase their sales by offering two free domestic airline tickets with the buying of a new model. Even though I perceived those tickets to be free, I am sure the cost was hidden somewhere in my purchase price. But because I had never flown, I took advantage of the offer by traveling from one coast to the other.

Sadly, marketers have stripped much of the meaning away from ‘free’. Our society has convinced us, for instance, that when we buy bottled water we obtain a superior product even though most communities offer excellent tap water. Spiritually, we get an even better deal. When John had his vision of a “new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1), he spoke of a different water. “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new…I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life” (Revelation 21:5-6). How did this “water without cost” come to be?  It’s called grace, and Jesus paid the price in full when He died on the cross at Calvary. He accomplished what Adam began when the original sin created distance between God and man. This ‘fall of man,’ as it is often referred, resulted in an inherited death sentence for all humans thereafter. “Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people” (Romans 5:18). A price so high we could never pay – Christ did for us on the cross what we were incapable of doing for ourselves.

What’s the catch, you ask? As much as we love the idea of anything being free, we have learned to be suspicious of anything classified as such. There’s an old story about a man who purchased a new refrigerator for his home and wanted to dispose of the old one as easily as possible. He placed it outside on the curb and taped a sign on it: “FREE for the Taking.” It sat there for days, and he wondered what he might do differently to get rid of it.  So he put another sign on it which read – “Refrigerator For Sale …$50.” He looked out his window the next morning, and it was gone. One can only assume it was taken because it was now perceived to have value. Likewise, some struggle to accept salvation as a free gift. “We can never redeem ourselves; we cannot pay God the price for our lives, because the payment for a human life is too great” (Psalm 49:7-8a). Fortunately for us, because we are of God’s own creation – He placed a great value on our lives. He gave His Son to pay the price so that we might have Eternal Life. All He wants in return is to steal your heart. There is no hidden agenda. It truly is free for the taking.

REFLECTION: Have there been times in your life that you have been offered something labeled as being ‘free’ and you have refrained from taking it because you were sure that there had to be a catch?  Does that recollection make it a little easier to understand others’ skepticism as you speak to them about the free gift of salvation? How can knowing and reflecting upon what Jesus went through to pay for your freedom change how you personally embrace that freedom and present it to others?

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

“But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it.” (Luke 24:11)

On April 1, 1957, the BBC reported that Swiss farmers were experiencing a record spaghetti crop and showed footage of people harvesting noodles from trees; numerous viewers were fooled. If you were around on the first day of April in the 1990’s, you may have attempted to buy a ‘Left-Handed Whopper’ at Burger King, the fake sandwich of the day promoted by the food chain. If not, you may have been caught up in the falsehood that Taco Bell was going to purchase Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell and retitle it using their restaurant’s name.  Although the exact origin remains a mystery, it is believed that the practice of playing practical jokes on April 1 has existed in many cultures for several centuries. English pranksters began popularizing the annual tradition of April Fools’ Day as early as 1700. In some places, it is known as All-Fools’ Day which makes sense, since the goal is to get as many people to buy into the fake story as possible and as a result be fooled. And when you fall for it, of course – the joke is on you.

It’s one thing to play harmless practical jokes on others during an expectant day of frivolousness.  But when you’re vulnerable and misunderstood, being the target of a joke can be hurtful. The story has been told of a terminally-ill boy by the name of Jeremy who at the age of 12 was still in second grade, seemingly unable to learn and frustrating to his teacher. Jeremy sometimes drooled and made unusual noises making it easy for his fellow students to poke fun at him.  Nearing Easter, the teacher gave each of the students an empty plastic egg with the assignment to place something in it that represented new life and bring it back the next day. Her intention was to contact Jeremy’s parents that evening to explain the project so that he would be successful, but several interruptions prevented her from doing so. The next day, the teacher began to open each egg of her nineteen students. The first one contained a flower, and the teacher affirmed that it indeed represented new life. The second had a butterfly in it, and everyone agreed it accomplished the goal. A third egg was a stretch, but the teacher found a way to explain how a moss-covered rock demonstrated new life as well. But when she opened the fourth egg, it was empty. So she laid it down without comment. Jeremy spoke up and asked why she didn’t say anything about this egg which happened to be his. Flustered, she said, “Jeremy your egg is empty.” Looking up at the teacher, He simply replied, “Yes but Jesus tomb was empty too.” Three months later, when Jeremy died, his theology was represented by nineteen plastic eggs on his casket . . . all of which were empty.

After Jesus crucifixion, the religious leaders of the day went to Pilate, concerned that someone might take His body. Not wanting any kind of foolishness, they told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ We request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.” Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” So, they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it. (Matthew 27:63-66). The Jewish leaders remembered well that when they had demanded miraculous signs to prove His authority, He had responded in this manner: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ They replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?’ But the temple he had spoken of was his body” (John 2:19-21).

Early on the first day of the week, several women who loved Jesus visited His tomb to find it empty. In their fright, they were reminded of His words. “They rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them” (Mark 16:13). Generally, most of them did not believe until they saw and met the resurrected Christ. Suddenly appearing to them behind locked doors in the midst of their fear (John 20:19-20), there had to be someone in the group who dared to think, “is this a joke?”  Instead, it was the fulfillment of a promise. For it is His resurrection which completed the story that He was who He had proclaimed to be – the very Son of God. And that, my friends, is very good news for each one of us.  No joke!

REFLECTION: How does the concept of a “risen Christ” satisfy some and raise doubt in others?  How is everything changed by the empty tomb? Why is the Resurrection is the greatest of Christ’s miracles?

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

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:14)

The story is told of a well-known major league baseball player who was 78 hits shy of breaking Ty Cobb’s all-time hit record. In an interview during that year’s spring training, the player was asked how many at-bats he would need to get those 78 hits. Without hesitation, his matter-of-fact response was “78.” A reporter questioned his philosophy. The player simply answered with this claim: “Every time I step up to the plate, I expect to get a hit! If I don’t expect to get a hit, I have no right to step in the batter’s box in the first place!” “If I go up hoping to get a hit,” he continued, “then I probably don’t have a prayer to get a hit. It is a positive expectation that has gotten me all of the hits in the first place.” It is not unusual for athletes who have a success story to attribute their success to keeping an eye on the prize.

If you have ever learned to play a musical instrument, you soon became aware that maintaining the proper beat is just as important as playing the correct notes.  For that reason, it is not unusual for music teachers to make use of a metronome, a device that produces an audible sound set to an established tempo assisting the beginner to internalize a clear sense of timing. As they advance and these student musicians take their place in bands and orchestras, the role of the metronome is replaced by the conductor.  Here combined instrumentation with changes in rhythm and tone force the musician to pay close attention to the conductor’s baton.  They learn to position themselves and their music in such a way that they are equally aware of both. When successful, the melodies to which they contribute result in a powerful performance in part because they have become very aware of the conductor.

It is for that reason that I reminded an old friend of mine who was having a health crisis that he needed to recollect our times together in high school band.  I urged him to recall that when we focused too much on the music, we could easily become out-of-sync with the director resulting in a failed performance. Similarly, I cautioned that with his illness – he needed to focus on the One who could lead him through the music he was facing rather than on his disease. The Apostle Paul said: “When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:22-25).

When runners prepare to compete in the 100-meter race, they learn never to look to their right or left but only to keep their eyes fixated on the finish line . . . because in 10 seconds or less, the race can be over. Paul is saying don’t waste your time over the past. Don’t worry about the circumstances or obsess about the detractions that might come your way. He is telling us not to get caught up in the moment but to stay centered on what truly matters. He would agree with the hymnist who must have been aware of Hebrews 12:2 as she wrote: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus; Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace” (Helen H. Lemmel). I personally like the thoughts of pastor and author Dr. David Jeremiah who wrote, “We should be holy people eager to greet our Lord when He returns, ready at any moment for the trumpet’s call, people of optimism, busy in evangelism, hands to the plow, eyes on the prize.” Likewise, we do not need to take our eyes off the music and risk losing our place as long as we maintain complete awareness of the conductor. Fix your eyes on the only prize that matters —in both life and death—and you always be in tempo.

REFLECTION: What is one of your most memorable prizes or awards that you have received? What effort or sacrifices did you have to make in order to stay focused on the task at hand?  How can we keep our eye on the prize offered by God when there are so many worldly prizes that seem to be within our grasp?

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

 “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching…” (Proverbs 1:8)

After a late-winter snowfall one March, I became very aware of the rules of living in small town America. Being very conscious of an article I had seen published in the local newspaper, I knew that it was a requirement that sidewalks must be shoveled within twenty-four hours following a snowfall.  That one made sense to me. I had also heard that when removing snow from the walks, you were supposed to throw it on your property instead of the street. I guess I could understand that one also, since it would only make additional work for someone else or could create a slippery area on an already-treated road.  Then, I thought – “Gee I wonder if there’s a rule that the snowplows cannot throw snow onto my sidewalk? ‘There oughta be a law’ about that one,” I mumbled to myself.  I laughed as I recalled that had been the name of an old cartoon strip years ago.

Rules…rules…rules. Some say they are only made for breaking. Not so, if you want to be a member of St Anthony’s in New Jersey where Bob Hurley has been coaching for over fifty years. His presence has been a Godsend to hundreds of inner city kids. Now a thousand victories and several dozen state championships later, how does Hurley explain their success?  Rules!  Each player (and their parents) are expected to sign a ‘Student/Athlete Contract’ which contains a list of twenty expectations the team members must do to succeed.  The list includes maintaining a clean-cut appearance (no facial hair, tattoos, or mohawks), refraining from all forms of substance abuse (alcohol, drug and tobacco use), as well as no cell phone use while in school. The coach says. “So at the end of four years, we’ve taken you to a place where you can go to college.”  They must be doing something right, because the entire student body has had 100% college acceptance for twenty-five years.

Since the creation of mankind, God gave us a choice to follow His rules or to break them. In the beginning, it was simple. “And the LORD God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die’ ” (Genesis 2:16-17).  That one didn’t work out so well. In the Old Testament, one discovers that God handed down many rules – some of which man obeyed, and many died in disobedience of others. Not only did God speak through Moses in the provision of The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-21), He also provided this direction: “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach them with a blue cord. When you see the tassels, you will remember and obey all the commands of the LORD instead of following your own desires and defiling yourselves, as you are prone to do. The tassels will help you remember that you must obey all my commands and be holy to your God” (Numbers 15:38-40).

Throughout the many centuries, civilizations have established rules for their citizens to follow for the creation of societal living. Jesus found Himself in the middle of such a society where the teachers of the law were often more concerned about the ritualistic details than they were about the heart of its instruction. They frequently planted spies in Jesus’ public gatherings asking questions where He might improperly speak against the government authorities.  In one case, He was quite aware of their attempt and simply responded with the line, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God” (Luke 20:25). Once, one of the Pharisees, an expert in religious law, tried to trick Jesus by asking: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:35-40). Herein are the most important rules for each of us now and always.  Whether we find ourselves on the basketball court or shoveling snow on the sidewalks of our hometown, they guarantee we will have a winning season.

REFLECTION: Are you more in conflict with breaking the rules of man or God? What are some ways you can better practice His greatest commandments? What personal rules might you put in place to do so?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., MARCH 25, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

 “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

I was confused recently when I read two different devotional books back to back on the same day.  The first one was titled, The Way Up is Down. The subject matter related to the topic of humility. It concluded with the following statement: “You’ll find that the best way to go up is to reach down to others.” The second focused on prejudice and proclaimed, “Looking up to Jesus prevents us from looking down on others.”  Without much thought, I laughed at the perceived inconsistency and asked the easy question: “So is it up, or is it down?”  It appeared as though these two devotions offered up a contradiction. On closer examination, I am convinced that the messages actually supported each other.

Our lives, likewise, are full of ups and downs. We often describe them as being on an upswing or a downswing. This has come to be reinforced by the way that our culture defines the ebbs and tides of everything about us.  If we are an investor, we are happy when the market is up and tend to find it worrisome when it is on a downtrend. It’s not unusual to base our purchases or entertainment selections on whether others have specified a thumb up or down rating for the product.  Additionally, we become obsessed with the lifestyle of the upscale of society and pay little, if any, attention to the downtrodden. There’s an old story about a man who jumped out of an airplane only to discover that his parachute was jammed. As the wind rushed by him, he took it off and desperately tried to untangle it. Suddenly a man shot past him, flying upward at tremendous rate of speed. The man with the chute looked up and yelled, “Hey, do you know anything about parachutes?” The other man called down, “No. Do you know anything about gas stoves?”  I guess it’s all in our perspective.

When it comes right down to it, we spend more of our life in the valley or going up and down the mountain than we actually do on the mountaintop itself. Whenever we fail to accept that ‘down times’ are a natural part of life, many will attempt to correct their station in life by creating a world of excess. This can range anywhere from substance abuse to buying sprees, searching for anything or any way to make them feel better. The absence of a spiritual connection can result in attempting to climb the mountain with an accumulation of material wealth becoming overwhelmed with emptiness, dissatisfaction, and a need for change. Evangelist and author Rick Warren has stated it this way – “Transformation is a process, and as life happens, there are tons of ups and downs. It’s a journey of discovery – there are moments on mountaintops and moments in deep valleys of despair.” Therefore, it is important to acknowledge to ourselves that, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). But be assured that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

I suspect that the most powerful parts of our lives are lived in the valley rather than on the mountaintop. The valleys are where we do our struggling. In Psalm 23:4, David shows his understanding that every valley had a shepherd who would go before the flock leading the sheep to safe passage. Whether we’re in the depths of the valley, sinking into it, or trying to climb up the slopes – each season should motivate us to trust the Lord, our Shepherd, and seek His direction. Being in the valleys of life is never easy, but the challenges in those valleys strengthen who we are and gives us hope for a future.  Paul said “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever. So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). We will do a disservice to ourselves and others if we portray the Christian life only as a mountaintop experience.  It’s much more like the ups and downs of a roller coaster.  However, we can be sure the Lord is in the seat beside us and that we are never riding alone.

REFLECTION: Where do you spend most of your life, on the mountain or in the valley?  In what ways has God sustained you and help you to be a stronger person through your ‘valley’ times? What would you say to a new believer who is having difficulty facing the difficulties of life?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., MARCH 18, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.