“Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!”  (Psa. 150:2)

When I once went to visit the grieving parents of a young man who had died, I recalled the last words I had shared with him. They were, “I am proud of you” verbalized on the occasion of another relative’s passing when he had spoken quite eloquently.  He seemed pleased to receive my praise. As I remembered – it also made me happy that those words were the final ones I would have spoken to him. However humble we might profess to be, we all like to be the recipients of heartfelt praise acknowledging those things we have done well. God loves it too when we express our adoration and gratitude to Him for His creation. When we praise God, it enhances our fellowship with Him by indicating that we understand and value the power of His presence over our lives. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (Hebrews 13:15).

In her book In My Father’s House – Corrie Ten Boom told a story about an old monk who sang every Christmas Eve for all the monks in the monastery and for the visitors who would come from the village for the special services. The monk’s voice was unpolished. But the monk loved the Lord, and he sang from his heart. One year the director of the cloister said, “I’m sorry Brother, we will not need you to sing this Christmas Eve. We have a new monk who has a marvelous voice.” The new monk sang stunningly, and everyone was happy. But later that night, an angel came to the superior and said, “Why didn’t you have a Christmas Eve song?” The superior was very surprised. “We had a beautiful song that was inspirational. Didn’t you hear it?” The angel shook his head sadly. “It may have been inspiring to you, but we did not hear it in heaven. The old monk with the raspy voice had Christ in his heart and he sings from his heart. The young monk was singing for his own benefit.”

We can’t expect the entire world to celebrate their feelings about Christmas in the same way, but we can pray that somehow the true heart of Christmas might help them to understand what God has done for them.  Simeon understood the significance of Jesus birth when forty days afterwards Joseph and Mary entered the temple in accordance with the Law of Moses. “At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!’ ” (Luke 2:25-32). In some Christian traditions, a remembrance of this meeting (known as Candlemas) is celebrated each February.

Simeon provides a note of hope and expectation. His praise makes a pronouncement that the baby Jesus, whom he held in his arms, was God’s promise fulfilled. It is unmistakably clear that the Wise Men also understood who He was when they shared their gifts in praise. “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him’ ” (Matthew 2:1-2). Without a doubt, the Chosen Twelve spoke of praise for who He was. Peter, one who was closest to Jesus, said: “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 4:11). As we celebrate Christmas with great food, presents, and parties – it is important that we move beyond the tinsel. When we get to that heart of the events surrounding Jesus birth, we find deep significance of how God chose to orchestrate His coming into our world. Then we will come to realize that the praise we give for Jesus will always be worthy and lasting.

REFLECTION: When you think about your Christmas traditions, how many of them are done for your benefit as opposed to those reserved for praising God?  In what ways could you consider reprioritizing how you celebrate the birth of Jesus? How might you invite others to join you in your ‘praise revision’ ?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., DECEMBER 31, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!” (Matthew 2:10)

As I sat in the home of a friend who was dying, I doubted very much if he would make it until Christmas.  Becoming engaged in conversation with his spouse as he went in and out of consciousness, I learned that his brother was also terminally ill. Here is a family soon to be filled with sorrow. On my prayer list, there are at least a dozen families who will be going through their first Christmas without a loved one. The Christmas season has become a difficult time for many in our society, prompting one to ask the question –  Is sorrow more plentiful at this time of year, or are we just more conscious of it? According to the National Institute of Health, during Christmas people experience a high incidence of depression. For those of us who don’t have these difficulties at present, it certainly provides an opportunity to reach out. Those who do so will discover that “Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of people, but from doing something worthwhile” (Wilfred T. Grenfell).

One would think that joy and sorrow are polar opposites. However, it seems more like they are close-knit companions with one taking dominance over the other.  Just as we can’t appreciate the light if we haven’t spent time in the dark, joy and sorrow are much the same way. One thing is true – each of us has those days and moments when we must look a little harder to see the joy scattered within our sorrow. But joy is there, and we nearly always find it again.  We just need to know where to look. Ultimately, we may learn that it is impossible to know joy unless we go through periods of sorrow. Whenever we seek God’s direction during our suffering – we often see Him more clearly, and our joy is made full. Consider this thought from Philip Bernstein: “We have no right to ask, when sorrow comes, ‘why did this happen to me?’ unless we ask the same question for every joy that comes our way.”

This story is told in a 1980 excerpt Our Daily Bread: Many years ago, a Salvation Army officer was preaching in Chicago when a man spoke out in front of the crowd, “You can talk about how Christ is dear to you, but if your wife were dead, as my wife is, and you had babies crying for their mother, you couldn’t say what you are saying.” A few days later, that preacher’s wife was killed in a tragic train accident. At the funeral service, the grieving husband stood beside her casket and said, “The other day when I was preaching in this city, a man said that if my wife were dead and my children were crying for their mother, I couldn’t say that Christ was sufficient. If that man is here, I tell him that Christ is sufficient! My heart is crushed, bleeding, and broken. But there is also a song in my heart and Christ put it there. The Savior speaks comfort to me today.” The man who had raised the objection was present, and he surrendered his life to Christ.

“And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord’” (Luke 2:10-11). The angels delivered the best possible news. For we who trust that Jesus holds our future and for those who have died in the Lord, His birth will always be ‘good news’. Late in His ministry when His time had come, Jesus told His disciples that He would turn their sorrow into joy. By using the analogy of a woman in labor, He said: “she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world” (John 16:21). The Apostle Paul reflected a similar message when he stated, “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later” (Romans 8:18). The Messiah also needed first to suffer and then enter His glory for the sake of His kingdom. By doing so He prepared a place for each of us – a place where pain and sorrow is relieved and only joy remains for all of eternity. If you believe that, you have captured a true understanding of why love came down at Christmas. Like the Magi, we too should be filled with joy every time we think of that star over Bethlehem (Matthew 2:9-11).

REFLECTION: Think of a time when you experienced great sorrow and then found renewed joy. If you were asked to define Biblical Joy to someone, what would you say? How can you help someone this Christmas begin to search for joy in the midst of their sorrow?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., DECEMBER 24, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” (Psalm 65:8)

“Godspeed, John Glenn” were the infamous words that were spoken by astronaut Scott Carpenter as his fellow Mercury 7 astronaut was launched into space from Cape Canaveral on April 12, 1961. It was a solo mission which only lasted just shy of five hours, but Glenn will always be remembered as the first American to orbit the earth. He did so at the age of 40. He is quoted as once having said. “There is still no cure for the common birthday.” However, thirty-seven years later in 1998 – he ventured into space again, this time for nine days testing the effects of space travel on an aging body. Having become fascinated with flying at a young age, he piloted his own personal plane until he was 90. On December 8, 2016 – he left earth for the final time, marking his passing at the ripe old age of 95. Those who were part of the generation serving witness to his pioneering into space will remember his missions with awe and amazement.

These days, I have considered if we view much of anything with the same sense of awe and wonder that we once did. I can remember my early Christmases with what must be a much different perspective than that of today’s children. Then, there was a feeling of anticipation that doesn’t seem to exist much today. These days, children are barely back in school from summer break with Halloween yet in the distance when Christmas trees and other decorations start to populate the stores. By the time Christmas Day arrives, they have no doubt seen dozens of trees over the course of the past three months. What was once new and exciting has now become familiar and assumed. Not so long ago, the tree was as much a part of Christmas morning as the gifts and the evidence that Santa must have somehow shimmied his way down that chimney one more time. It is no surprise that many are just tired of it all and ready to pack it up the day after.

Awe and wonder are at the very root of our Christian walk. In the Holy Scriptures, Luke tells the story of a paralyzed man who was brought to Jesus by some men and lowered into a house from the roof on a mat because of the crowds. Seeing their faith, Jesus forgave the man of his sins but was criticized by the religious rulers of the day. “Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, ‘Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.’ Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home.’ And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, ‘We have seen amazing things today’” (Luke 5:22-26). It’s been said that when we allow our focus to be diverted away from God, we will cease to be amazed.  How true that is for many today.

After seeing the baby Jesus, the shepherds began to spread the word of what they had been told and themselves witnessed. “And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” (Luke 2:18). A sense of awe for what they had seen led them to glorify and praise God (Luke 2:20).  Max Lucado put it this way: “Off to one side sits a group of shepherds. They sit silently on the floor, perhaps perplexed, perhaps in awe, no doubt in amazement. Their night watch had been interrupted by an explosion of light from heaven and a symphony of angels. God goes to those who have time to hear him, and so on this cloudless night he went to simple shepherds.”  When nothing impresses us anymore, we must spend time with God. For when we rest in Him, even in the busiest of seasons – our eyes become more like those of the astronaut: focused beyond the things of this world and renewed once again with awe and amazement.

REFLECTION: What experiences elicit a sense of awe and wonder for you?  How can you allow the season of Advent to revitalize your relationship with Jesus?  Are there ways in which you can reach out to others this Christmas and help them to also find new wonderment in their life?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., DECEMBER 17, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)

This time of year, you get all kinds of invitations without even knowing the people who sent them. Over the last few weeks, I have received email notices for gift cards from numerous major chains. This sounded like something I might be able to use, until I figured out the hook.  First you must complete a survey, and at the end of the survey there are numerous purchasing choices from which you must select before you become eligible for the free card.  I have also received invitations for new credit cards. There is usually some incentive attached to joining in hopes that I will exceed my ability to pay off all my extra holiday spending. Then the company will be able to make some money on my unpaid balance in the new year. My favorite is Publisher’s Clearing House who says you need to do nothing to win a huge cash prize.  Over the next weeks and months you will hear from them regularly with envelopes filled with purchasing offers, leading you to believe that you are now one of a very few who may be selected for a big payout. Invitations like these always come at a cost, even if it’s just your personal information.

A few years ago, I was invited to the home of former work colleague for a Christmas party. For whatever reason, I decided not to attend and respectfully sent my regrets.  That next summer, I ran into this individual and his wife who were doing some shopping.  He went on about the wonderful time they had at the party that past Christmas and stated that during the ensuing warm months, they would be hosting a picnic at their home. I was informed that again I would be invited but I had better attend this time, because “once you are a ‘no-show’ twice – you get taken off the list.”  My expression, or lack thereof, must have been a dead giveaway. Either they didn’t have the picnic or my invitation got lost in the mail.  Having struggled myself with holiday open house guest lists, I tried not to be too critical. There are always considerations such as the capacity of your home and the compatibility of those whom you are including. I guess it could become quite simple to weed out your list of invitees, but I am sure glad Jesus doesn’t apply that same criteria to His invitation.

At Christmas, we are invited over and again to come to the manger. We do so as we light our Advent candles, stop by the live nativity in the mall, or attend church services Christmas eve. But we must remember that the birth of Jesus was only the beginning. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). What a great invitation to know that we can simply rest in the arms of Jesus no matter whether we are carrying guilt from the past, worried about the future, or just exhausted with the weight of the world of everyday life. Still another invitation to contentment awaits each of us.  Jesus also invites us to fellowship, as He said “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men” (Mark 1:17). As Jesus summoned fishermen of His day to become part of the ‘Chosen Twelve’ – He also invites us to discipleship. When we accept this invitation, we enter an intimate relationship. We become partners by extending His invitation to others.

The final invitation Christ offers us is to be part of His kingdom. “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (John 15:4). Those who do so are the recipients of His love and affection. No invitation of any kind in this world can compare with fact that you belong to God and are identified with Him. We can have joy in knowing that it’s not a temporary membership. His invitation is neither conditional or time-limited. He has paid our dues for all of eternity with His journey from a simple manger in Bethlehem to a lonely, horrifying death on the cross at Calvary. That is a real invitation, my friend, and it comes with a promise that if you remain in Him – you will never be taken off the guest list. Jesus is the Master of inclusion. He is Lord of all, and His invitation is for everyone . . . no gimmicks included.

REFLECTION: How do you think others feel when they are invited to your home? Have you ever had to exclude or been excluded from an invitation list? How can you show appreciation for the many invitations Jesus gifts to you this Christmas?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., DECEMBER 10, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.” (Psalm 126:3)

We like to feed the birds in our backyard. We have feeders designed to attract bluebirds and finches and others that contain select seed for enticing cardinals and other colorful specimens.  Whenever I have filled them, I almost feel as though I have created the perfect Thanksgiving meal – you know, something for everyone.  While we enjoy this activity, there is only one problem.  It is not unusual for there to be dozens of birds flocking into our yard and totally emptying these just filled feeders in a little over day.  When they have been emptied – they move on, presumably to another neighborhood feeder.  On those occasions, I can find myself thinking: “You ungrateful birds. Look what we have done for you, and you turn around and leave us when it appears that we have nothing more to give.” Then I just smile and think, “I wonder if that’s what God sometimes thinks of us when we’re ungrateful for His many blessings?”

As we experience Thanksgiving and prepare for the Advent season, we are often more conscious of those around the world who are facing difficult times. I don’t need to look any further than my own social circle where several persons whom I know have just been told that their places of employment where they have served faithfully for many years will be moving on without them. Then there are others I know whose very lives are vulnerable with the process of life-threatening diseases.  As I sat at the bedside of one such friend a few weeks ago – I found myself making statements like, “We have to be grateful for the good years we have been given.” While I know the words that I spoke were true and acknowledged by my friend, I can’t help but think that such declarations are more easily-spoken when we are not the individual who is at risk. Then I remembered the words of Paul as he wrote to the church at Thessalonica. “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). For if we praise God only in the best of circumstances, it would not be faith at all.

Luke tells the story of ten lepers who came to Jesus as He was entering a village. Inflicted with the most isolating disease of their day, they stood at a distance. Calling out to Him as Master in a loud voice, they asked Jesus to have pity on them. “When He saw them – He said, ‘Go show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14). Only one of the ten, a Samaritan, returned to Him to give thanks. It is then that Jesus asked several pertinent questions – “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18). The one who returned fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked Him. We can imagine that the other nine were also relieved that their bodies had been freed from such a devastating disease. Like we who go through life taking God’s daily blessings for granted, they failed to show their gratitude to the One who had offered healing! They missed the opportunity to praise God leading Jesus to say, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:19). The man who returned received both a physical and a spiritual blessing.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that we should “Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”  Gratitude, therefore, does not need to be reserved just for significant occasions but should be expressed for the little things as well.  Thankful people make it a habit to recognize each bit of kindness that comes their way with an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. In doing so, we are reminded of the bigger picture that we belong to God and dependent on Him for everything – just like the birds of the field.  The difference is that He has given us the capacity to show our gratitude for His infinite love and mercy, even in the tough times. It is a choice we make to acknowledge Him or not.  When we fail to do so, we fall short of a relationship with Him and are not much different than the ungrateful birds who feast on their blessings and simply move on.

REFLECTION: How can you learn to express a spirit of gratefulness during times of sadness, defeat, criticism, regret, and struggle? Would you be able to explain to someone the spiritual healing that can come from gratefulness, regardless of the circumstances? Do you think it’s possible to get on the other side of Thanksgiving without ever pausing to be grateful?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., DECEMBER 3, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23)

Late Fall is one of my least favorite times of the year.  Just as the colors of Autumn are beautiful, the dead fallen leaves from the trees cover what not long ago were flowering plants and a green bed of grass. The holidays bring fresh excitement offering warm gatherings for family and friends. But when January arrives and the Winter winds begin to howl and snow starts to fly, I start counting the days until the crocus will start to push through the soil once again.  I tell myself that even though the daylight hours will soon be at their shortest time – it is right around Christmas when we start gaining back minutes of light with each new day. So rather than rake my leaves – I blow them into a pile and mulch them with my mower, convincing myself that the nutrients will be good for next year’s soil. I consider what new bulbs I might want to plant in a few months, recognizing that perennials are one of God’s greatest miracles in that while they appear to die – they are ‘born again’ when the earth’s warmth returns.

Did you hear the story about the baby who was born twice?  Sounds like a headline on the front of one of those tabloids at the grocery check-out counter.  But this is the true story of a Texas woman who went for a routine ultrasound in the sixteenth week of her pregnancy. Then it was discovered that there was a tumor growing from her baby’s tailbone. Originally pregnant with twins, the mother was now faced with this rare birth defect of one surviving child after having lost the other. She was told that the tumor was stealing the blood supply from the fetus, forcing its survival to become more compromised each day. At nearly 24 weeks, fetal surgery was performed requiring that the baby be removed from the womb and then returned.  Surgeons were able to detach most of the tumor which had grown nearly as large as the fetus, replacing it back into the mother’s womb in just five hours. After 12 more weeks in utero, LynLee Hope was ‘born again’ at full-term via C-section. Dr. Darrell Cass, who led the surgical team at Texas Children’s Fetal Center, described the procedure as a “kind of miracle.” And that it was!

“Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born” (John 3:4). These were the words of Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. Secretly appearing before Jesus, he was aware of the miracles Jesus had performed and certain Jesus was sent from God. Like many of his time, Nicodemus misinterpreted the plan of God. Correcting Nicodemus’ misunderstanding, “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ He went on to explain that “Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again’” (John 3:5-7). Nicodemus had a real need. He required a change of heart and understanding—a spiritual transformation. When Jesus spoke with him, He used an illustration that could be easily understood. A newborn baby entering an earthly physical life was a perfect comparison for a person of any age beginning a new spiritual life.

The term ‘born again’ is a commonly used phrase among present-day Christians. The expression literally means ‘born from above’ and is not a spur-of-the-moment decision based on emotion but rather more of a conversion process. The Apostle Paul understood: “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake – I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith . . . I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me” {Philippians 3:8-9,12). When that happens, it’s more perfect than the first buds of Spring and more of a miracle than a twice-born child. It’s a creation that He alone can bless from above. For unlike the flowering bulb that appears to die, we who are born again will live forever.

REFLECTION:  How would you explain to someone who is beginning their journey with Christ what it means to be born again? Is it possible to be a Christian and not be born again?

For more on the story about the baby who was born twice, paste this link in your browser: http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/20/health/baby-born-twice-fetal-surgery/index.html

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., NOVEMBER 26, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” (Ephesians 1:4).

Do you know anyone who is a numismatist?  You may be one and not even know it. Do you collect coins or know someone who does? If so, someone might give you this label. Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins. If you get into serious collecting, you will try to find coins that have never been in circulation. However, you will soon realize that to find an old coin in uncirculated condition is a rare and expensive achievement. In the process, you might use the proficiency of a coin grading service.  In their classification system, ratings are used to categorize these never-circulated coins utilizing factors such as striking strength and luster. Similar services are available for the assessment of precious gems such as diamonds. Unless you have a microscope, the casual observer cannot distinguish between a slightly compromised diamond and one which is perfect except, of course, when you pay your bill. One company advertises that they are “the perfect source for less than perfect diamonds.”

It becomes much more evident to see flaws when we talk about people. In the recent Presidential election, it was not unusual for both candidates of the major political parties to be referred to as ‘flawed.’ Many Americans voiced that one or both candidates were either unqualified or undeserving of the office based upon their past.  The normal use of the word flawed means “blemished, damaged, or imperfect in some way.” If we use that as our standard, then we might wonder why any normal person would consider running for office. And if that application follows, the words imperfect or flawed could define each of us on any given day. It certainly gives us pause to consider the wise counsel of the Apostle Paul – “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you” (Romans 12:3).

In two of the Gospels, Jesus told the story of inviting guests to a wedding feast. In the Book of Matthew, a king prepares a wedding feast for his son. When he sends for the invited guests, they appear to be busy and unable to attend. So, he tells his servants – “Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find” (Matthew 22:9). As instructed, the servants invited all sorts of people until the wedding feast was filled. One of the guests insults the king by not wearing the wedding clothes which the host would have provided. The man was thrown out – “For many are invited but few are chosen” (Matthew 22: 14). In Luke’s version, the guests are told to be careful not to take the seats of honor “for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited” (Luke 14:8). It is far better to take “the lowest place so that when the host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests” (Luke 14:10-11). Regardless of where we are seated, we are each flawed and must consider it the greatest of all honors to even be invited to the banquet.

As we sit down to our own feasts this Thanksgiving – we should pause, look around the table, and ask some pertinent questions. Who was invited and did not come?  Who is attending out of pure obligation? Did they sit close to or distance themselves from certain people? As we serve the turkey and stuffing, no doubt there is also plenty of heartache and blame to be passed around – enough for each one of us to have a generous portion. Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird penned these words: “You can choose your friends but you sho’ can’t choose your family, an’ they’re still kin to you no matter whether you acknowledge ’em or not, and it makes you look right silly when you don’t.” As we set the places at our table, He sets the example for us to offer a seat of honor to our flawed but forgiven family members. And like David, we will respond – “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing” (Psalm 145:15-16). Allow your Thanksgiving to be a perfect reunion for all those who are made so . . . only in the eyes of God.

REFLECTION: How do you allow for imperfection in your own life and in the lives of others without compromising your values? Consider the greater meaning of Matthew 7:3 and how it applies in your walk.

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., NOVEMBER 19, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2)

It was a tense time. For over a hundred years, these loyal followers had seen periodic glimmers of hope. But their optimism over the short-term had frequently led to disappointment over the long haul.  Through their many years of discouragement, they have tried to be faithful. They have displayed their confidence by continuing to support the endeavors of those who could provide signs of encouragement. They knew that one day the world would know them for who they were. Finally, the hour came when they would be delivered. Their long-awaited drought would soon end with a revival that no one now living had ever before witnessed. And so, it was on an early November day in 2016 that the curse they had known for over a century would soon be lifted. Once again coming close to defeat, they looked upward and prayed with all their might that those whom they had followed for so long would now receive their crown and be known as . . . the World Series Champions of Baseball. With one final infield ground ball hit to the third baseman who slipped and nearly made an error toss to first base – the Chicago Cubs rejoiced with praise like they had not been able to do for 108 very long years. The curse had, in fact, been lifted.

It happens each October when the Boys of Summer pray that they will be blessed to be part of the post- season. As baseball season comes to an end, the weekly gridiron clashes have already established team rankings. In just a few short months, the Super Bowl will be the talk of the town. Between both is another fierce battle at least every four years. It’s a fight for power like no other; one that in many ways is even more brutal than colliding with the catcher at home plate or being the quarterback who gets sacked before he ever has a chance to execute his play.  It’s the vicious game of politics, and it can become downright ugly at times.  If we are walking with God, we consider what role we should play in these endeavors. At times, when we look at those who are seeking leadership and examine all that is wrong in our nation – we wonder what it will take to bring even a slight amount of healing to a world that certainly seems to have lost its way. So, we again look upward and pray that God will provide for the curse that likewise permeates our society be lifted in a timeframe we’d be blessed to witness.

We might ask if God answers the prayers of the faithful as they are raised for favorite sports teams and political candidates.  Consider how He must feel about the priorities we have set as we spend millions of dollars for seats in sports stadiums, as well as on advertising campaigns for those seeking government leadership positions.  Imagine the good these same resources would do for those who are hungry, seeking shelter following a natural disaster, or suffering from a disease they would not have acquired had they only received a proper vaccination. I am confident that God always hears the prayers of His people, but I cannot help but wonder if He responds more to His own creation than those of our making.  The Apostle Paul provides good guidance. “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

So, ponder this. Rather than praying for your favorite sports team to be the victor, God may be more sensitive to the prayer that those who are playing or serving as spectators are spared injury. Certainly vote your conscience in an election, but despite the outcome – offer prayers of respect for those in positions of leadership whom God has given authority over us (Romans 13:1).  Whether they happen to be of our political persuasion or not, let us pray that they will surround themselves with good advisers so that we might live in a stable society where we can worship freely. Let us pray that they will seek wise counsel in order that “peaceful and quiet lives” will flourish, while hate and wars will be averted whenever possible.  Let us pray for the right things with the hope that God will turn the hearts of kings (Proverbs 21:1) from games of fame and power to a passion of love for everyday people and their future.

REFLECTION: In what ways might you be able to refocus your prayers on people in need of God’s direction? How might you convince others that winners of contests have little relevance to our Heavenly Father?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., NOVEMBER 12, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.” (Proverbs 17:15)

Suppose that you live in a very rural area. You and your spouse have one young child, and there are few neighbors with children. The potential friends your child’s age are limited to two: a boy who has bully-like tendencies and a girl who is known for seldom telling the truth. Which one do you choose to be your child’s playmate? Let’s make the scenario even more personal.  You have been without work for months after having been laid off. You are the sole income earner for several other dependent persons. After many weeks of sending out resumes and being turned down following numerous interviews, you have just been offered two jobs. The one is with a company where the boss is egotistical and has a history of firing people.  The head of the other company has a reputation for being deceptive, and if it comes down to defending you – she would most likely let you hang out to dry.  Welcome to being caught between a proverbial rock and a hard place where your choice may be limited to the lesser of two evils. Or is it?

The lesser of two evils principle subscribes the belief that when faced with selecting from two unpleasant options, the one which is least harmful should be chosen. This implies that when confronted with two sources of harm, we are left with choosing harm. The real quandary is how to do good when we seem to have only immoral choices. Or as some would say – “how to make the best of a bad situation.”  When challenged with this set of circumstances, one must carefully examine all the options and determine if, in any way, our personal values would be compromised.  If we are looking for perfection, then we set ourselves up for failure. Short of Christ Himself, we will seldom find an option without inherent negatives.  Pray about the possibilities available to you, and seek guidance as to whether every option is truly corrupt. “A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel” (Proverbs 1:5). You may conclude that not all the available choices are, in fact, evil.

However, when a Christian is confronted with two clearly evil or immoral options – one cannot rationalize to side with immorality just because the alternative appears to be worse. Scripture tells us we will be held accountable not only for the evil deeds we do but also when we “give approval to those who practice them” (Rom. 1:32). The Apostle Paul warned in his second letter to Timothy, that there will be times (he specifically refers to the ‘end times’) when life will be difficult. “For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Nineteenth century author and Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon once said that “Choosing evil is not an option.” We must therefore believe that God always gives us more than a choice of evil. To think less means that we are presented only with options which are dishonorable to God. Honoring God must always be our choice, rather than giving into sin. “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1 Corinthians 10:13). It is clear in Scripture that God’s people would follow what they determined to be true to their beliefs, allowing the consequences to be judged by the Lord of history. So “do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). For when we find ourselves in a position that we need to defend what we once would have considered disgraceful, we need to be careful we don’t lose our self in the process. That’s evil in its worse form, and it’s not the lesser of anything.

REFLECTION: What are some decisions in your personal journey that you were uncomfortable making because you sensed your values would be compromised?  If it is true that God always gives us a choice of doing good, what are you willing to sacrifice in doing so? Will you need to you justify your actions?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., NOVEMBER 5, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. (Ephesians 2:8)

While watching one of my favorite TV dramas, I pondered over a line I had just heard by one of the main characters. In the story, the head of an emergency room in a challenged, sometimes understaffed, inner-city hospital was questioned by one of the nurses about an order she had just given.  Apparently it contradicted her usual protocol about how to care for a certain type of patient.  The director of the E. R. simply looked at the nurse and made the following response referring to her directive: “He’s already paid the ultimate price. I decided to choose grace.” This got me to thinking when, if at all, we are capable of showing grace to another person. Or is that an impossible task for anyone, except for Almighty God? If it is true that when we experience God’s grace, we receive favor that we do not deserve . . . then I think as beings who are created in His image (Genesis 1:27), we too must be capable of showing grace at times to others.

I remember a friend of mine once telling me that in his work, he would sometimes have to discharge persons after they had broken company policies.  He shared that he would always try to allow the person he was releasing to leave with a sense of dignity. If possible, he would supply a reference for them to get another job, even though in order for him to do so – they might be forced to seek employment in another field. While he was obligated to follow the company’s employment procedures, he always tried to put himself in the position of the person he was releasing by showing concern for the person’s future. To me, what he attempted to do was an example of showing grace to others. He went on to say that there were times years later when he would run into some of these individuals who would come up to him and thank him for giving them a new start. He operated by the principle that we need to get along with people without hurting them, even when they challenge us to do otherwise.

I am reminded of a story of a wealthy man who hired an impoverished builder to construct a house. Per the man’s instruction, the house was to be magnificent. The builder was given unlimited resources and was told to use the finest material. Instead, the builder decided that he could cut corners by using inferior products. While doing so, he covered up gaps and masked his mistakes. While beautiful in appearance, the home would soon reveal its poor workmanship. It would undoubtedly leak and be unable to keep out the heat and cold. Upon completion, he handed the keys to the man who had commissioned him. However, the wealthy man never meant for the house to be his own. Because he had sensed the need of the poor builder, he had intended that the dream home be a gift, one that would protect he and his family for years to come. So instead of taking the keys to the house, he gave them back saying, “I wanted it to be a source of grace and blessing to you and your family.”

I wonder how many times we were intended to be the recipient of God’s free gift of grace but failed to recognize it as our own.  If we look closely at the world around us, we will see many a person who is thirsty for grace. In our journey, we will also soon discover that life’s greatest hurts come from other people. They use us, take advantage of us, or turn their backs on us. Yet, if we are going to be like Jesus, we need to love others – even those who are difficult to love. Jesus set the example for us, coming to earth to be one of us and then dying for all of mankind, even for those who hated Him most. “From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:16-17). What He provides for us is a gift we don’t deserve. To claim this gift, you must sense your own need and receive it with open hands.  Now, that is amazing grace. How sweet the sound!

REFLECTION: Consider the difference between grace and mercy, the latter being defined as the withholding of what we do deserve. Can you think of examples of both in your own life?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., OCTOBER 29, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.