THE ULTIMATE ATTENTION GRABBER

“It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.” (Psalm 119:71)

He was hired by a major league baseball team to help get them to the World Series, and when they got there – he ended up sitting on the bench. In 2007, pitcher Barry Zito signed a seven-year, $126 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. At that time, it was the largest contract ever given to a pitcher. He was at the top of his game, in peak physical condition and had the kind of financial security most people can only dream of. He posted double-digit wins in his first three seasons, and in 2010 he helped his team win their first championship in 56 years. However, he struggled the last month of the season resulting in him being left off the postseason roster. Watching from a distance as his team won the World Series, Zito’s career declined over the next few years while he came face-to-face with the destructiveness of his own ego, eventually hitting rock bottom. Raised in a metaphysical church, he was known for his idiosyncrasies and offbeat personality. Zito has said, “Having placed my full identity into my baseball career for most of my life, only to have it stripped away during the 2010 World Series run is what led me to discover my true identity. Not in a game, but in Jesus Christ.” When God finally got his attention, Zito was confronted with the truth that he was loved no matter what he achieved. In his 2019 book release, Curveball, Zito shares his story of a man who had everything except happiness.

Have you noticed that there are times God has to do something fairly dramatic to get some people’s attention? He will occasionally stage a grand intervention or an interruption of our plans in order to persuade us to change course. That’s what happened to Saul of Tarsus who was threatening to imprison and murder the Lord’s followers while traveling his way to Damascus. It is hard to imagine a more dramatic interruption than flashes of what seems to be lightning, leading to a fall followed by blindness, and then Jesus speaking directly to you. God pulled out all the stops to get Saul’s attention. It was there, lying on the ground, that Saul is able to hear a voice: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:1-4). And that is the gift that God gave to Saul: after three days of blindness, he is baptized, his sight is restored, and he is filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17-18).  God stages a grand intervention for Saul by intruding on his plans and re-routing his entire life, giving him work to do that will change the world forever. Likewise, in Exodus 3:1-11, we find Moses halting his daily routine to check out a burning bush that was not being consumed. Out of this unusual experience – God spoke to him, and gave him an important assignment. And then there was Jonah who ran from God. He was led through a course of events (Jonah 1:1-17) during which he was thrown into the sea and ending up in the belly of a great fish. God used this humbling process to get Jonah’s attention. It was when he was at his lowest that Jonah was fully prepared to go in the direction in which God had called him (Jonah 3:2-3).

There are times in each of our lives when God has to knock us off our feet so we can stop, look up, and see Jesus. In the same way, there are occasions when He will use simple methods as a ‘wake-up’ call. We may be going about the routine of our work, or engaged in church or home life, when a restlessness begins to stir within our spirit.  We might not be able to put a finger on it. We don’t know why it is happening, but we feel an uneasiness in our hearts. When such a time comes, the wise thing to do is to stop and ask the Lord what he is trying to say. Perhaps His message will be revealed through the modest words of a friend or loved one. He might speak to us through a Bible verse that we haven’t read before or enlighten us with new-found understanding of a passage we have read many times. In ways we do not always understand, Jesus continues to call on His servants. The Apostle Paul said: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe” (Hebrews 1:1-2). The Father always knows exactly where we are in our journey of faith and precisely what it will take to direct us. Then He grabs our attention, equips us with His Holy Spirit, and sets us on our way to do work that is pleasing to Him . . . thereby making the world a better place.

REFLECTION: Where were you when God last got you to truly notice Him? Have you ever thought about where you would be if the Lord didn’t use humbling circumstances to not only get your attention, but to also keep it? Could it be that He’s using your current period of difficulty for redirection so He can use you for His purposes and lead you into a new season of blessing? Would you be able to share with others how God used some failure or circumstance to get your attention?

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

 

SEEK GRACE OVER ENTITLEMENT

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

There are times when an overarching theme seems to exist in the news headlines of the day. Such was the case recently when I was watching a clip about the college admission scandals where the rich are buying acceptances into elite colleges for their children. It was followed by a story about a politician whose campaign centers on a proposal of right to free healthcare for all, regardless of citizenship. Later I heard a discussion on the pros and cons of paying college athletes, based on the revenues they help to generate. Regardless of how one might feel on these issues, together they impose a pervasive attitude on our society. That is to say . . . a sense of entitlement. Entitlement exists when an individual gets a false impression that they deserve more than they really do. Each and every day, we are bombarded with both business and government entitlement messages. Each one is engrained in our culture and absorbed into virtually every fabric of our lives. If you are old enough, you will recall a jingle from a well-known fast food chain “You deserve a break today, so get up and get away to McDonalds.”  This continues to be the message . . . you deserve it, and you should have it!

Unfortunately, this ‘entitlement mindset’ has become firmly planted in many of our thoughts and, at times, has even become seeded into our relationship with God. Entitlement creates an inward, self-centered person. We become the focus and the means to an end, and God can become reduced to someone who helps us get what we believe we are entitled to. The measure of our thankfulness and closeness to God is then based on His performance, resulting from the entitlements we expect from Him. Cling to the promise that God loves you, even when you don’t get what you desperately want. Scripture warns us: “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:3). The Good News is that even though God owes us nothing, He will give us what we need out of His great love. This occurs not because we are entitled, but instead, it flows from the unconditional love and grace He gives. We can rest content in what He chooses to give as well as what he chooses to withhold.   We should frequently pause to ask and reflect on the answers to these questions: What is a right, and what is a privilege? What is deserved, and what is grace?

In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus tells the story of two brothers, the youngest of whom asks his still-living rich father for the entitled share of his inheritance. Then he wastes it on wild living, becomes impoverished, and wonders if his father might receive him as a servant so he could at least survive. His father not only takes him back but welcomes him lovingly with open arms. He demands that his servants throw an enormous feast to celebrate the fact his lost son has returned. Then we meet the older son who comes home to the sounds of music and dancing honoring his estranged brother. Upset and angry, he won’t even enter the house feeling that he is entitled to better treatment since he is the one who has been faithful. Just as our Heavenly Father is there for us when we come home, the wayward son is given a renewed place.  If the ‘prodigal son’ had lived where he was offered government entitlements – he may have never again returned home, broken and repentant. He would have missed the opportunity to be received back into the arms of a loving father who is personified to all of us as the God of second chances.

Entitlement isn’t just a feeling.  It is real, and each of us has been guilty of it. Our reaction will determine if we live with a servant’s heart or an attitude of privilege. We cross the line of entitlement when we pursue our own agenda without first pausing to consider the impact it might have on others. When we lose our sense of compassion for those around us, we should recognize that what we think we deserve just might be coming at their expense. The answer to getting over our issues of entitlement is to develop a humble sense of gratitude, offering it to the One who has given us more that we could ever ask or imagine. The Apostle Paul understood this necessity: “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). Humility and the willingness to give up our rights are not prized virtues in our world, but they are stunningly beautiful to Christ. Seek grace over entitlement every time, and you will indeed be blessed.

REFLECTION: In what areas of my life am I discontent? What do I think I need in order to experience an abundant life? How can we recognize my own sense of entitlement and take steps to surrender it to God?

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

THE SWEET LIFE

“How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.” (Psalm 119:103)

Has anyone ever tried to ‘sweet talk’ you? If you are known to have a competitive edge, were you challenged by the thought of a ‘sweet victory’ ahead? Or have you ever spent a lot of time bargaining for a certain outcome and ended up making ‘one sweet deal’? As Halloween approaches and children look forward to trick-or-treat activities, those who anticipate sharing in a sampling of the gathered candy might be asked if they have a ‘sweet tooth’. We even find that our music has references to sweetness, from the reassuring lyrics of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” to the cherished hymn, “Sweet Hour of Prayer.” For the most part, the concept of being sweet generally brings forth pleasant feelings. However, a very different impression is created when the words sour or bitter are used. In fact, there may have been a time when you may have been reduced to use the phrase, “it left a bitter taste in my mouth,” if you were involved in something that did not turn out particularly well.

The Bible contains many references to sweetness and bitterness. Moses threw a piece of wood that God had shown him into water that was bitter, and “the water became sweet. There the Lord made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them” (Exodus 15:25). The Psalmist declared that “the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether . . . sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb” (Psalms 19:9-10). One of the most interesting stories tells of God commanding the prophet Ezekiel to speak to the nation of Israel after he consumed a provided scroll. He was “to fill [his] stomach with it” and share the words with its people whom God considered to be “obstinate and stubborn” (Ezekiel 2:4). In Ezekiel’s vision, he eats the scroll God handed him . . . and we find the creation of an interesting image by which he needs to ‘fill up and digest God’s Word.’ By Ezekiel following God’s direction, he was able to absorb the message before it would be delivered.

Scripture states that both sides of the scroll “were covered with funeral songs, words of sorrow, and pronouncements of doom” (Ezekiel 2:10). Logic would expect that for any normal person, this unusual request might have been a bitter pill to swallow. But Ezekiel claimed that “when I ate it, it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth” (Ezekiel 3:3). Ezekiel seems to have acquired a taste for God’s correction. Instead of viewing His reprimand as something to be avoided, Ezekiel recognized that what is good for the soul is “sweet.” He was a man living in the center of God’s Will and in sweet communion with Him. He didn’t gloss over the sins of his people and chose to not focus on the what little good he might have been able to find within that society. What he did do was continue to warn his countrymen with all his heart, because that is what God specifically told him to do. Accordingly, he was hated for his testimony.

If we focus on how much God loves us, His challenging truths will begin to taste more like honey. If we are to become one of His messengers, we must first internalize these truths for ourselves before we are equipped to share them with others. When we do, we will encounter those who will accept its sweet aroma while we can anticipate there will always be some who will reject it. The Apostle Paul put it this way: “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:15). As Christians, God wants us to be full of sweet things, and it starts by being filled with His Word and the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. As I assume this in my own life, I can’t help but reflect on the lyrics of a chorus I have come to appreciate: “There’s a sweet, sweet spirit in this place; and I know that it’s the spirit of the Lord.” There are times in each person’s journey when we do our utmost to avoid hearing the truth of God’s message. At times, we may find it to be a ‘bitter pill’ to swallow. Ultimately, we must begin to recognize that there is one true voice to whom we must listen. Then we will develop a decisive understanding of what it means to begin to live the life He has always had planned for us.  That, my friend, is the sweet life.

REFLECTION: How pleased do you think the Lord is with the aroma you set forth? When you seek spiritual guidance, have you ever found sweetness in challenging words that do not necessarily conform to your way of thinking. Can you deliver God’s truth to others who are seeking your advice about lifestyle issues that you do not believe to be in agreement with the teachings of Jesus? How might you apply Proverbs 27:9 – “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense” – in these instances?

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

TOLERANCE

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.” (Colossians 3:13)

It was an unusual question, particularly in light of the setting in which it was posed. Nonetheless, the political candidates engaged in questioning were asked: “What friendship have you had that would surprise us, and what impact has it had on you and your beliefs?”  Obviously the question was intended to demonstrate that the individuals on the stage had tolerance for those who subscribed to a different political persuasion. Their answers would serve as the conclusion to a three-hour televised debate.  Just days before, a former conservative head-of-state was caught on camera laughing with and sitting next to a well-known liberal entertainment personality at a pro-football game. The entertainer was criticized in a social media backlash as to how she could possibly be friends with someone who held partisan views so different than her own. Her response: “Just because I don’t agree with someone on everything does not mean I’m not going to be friends with them. When I say be kind to one another, I don’t mean only the people that think the same as you do, I mean be kind to everyone.”

Our world no longer defines tolerance as an acknowledgement that there are those with a differing belief. Instead, it has come to mean that we are expected to have full acceptance for the beliefs of others. There was a day not so long ago when we would respect individual differences.  No so much in recent times. On one hand, we hear much public discussion about the need for tolerance. On the other hand, those who stand for the truth of their own convictions are often branded as being narrow-minded, intolerant and judgmental. Unfortunately, this is often the case when it comes to matters of faith. The Lord has uniquely created each of us with our own personalities and preferences. Therefore, we won’t always agree with one another. This doesn’t mean that we can’t still love and respect each other in spite of our varying persuasions and convictions. It’s possible with the help of the Holy Spirit to respect those with different opinions. Colossians 4:6 instructs us: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” The ability to rise above personal feelings and respectfully treat the intolerant reveals the true measure of our spiritual maturity.

Being labeled ‘intolerant’ for one’s Christian faith is an expected part of the journey, and at times we will suffer when we stand up for the word of God. In fact, the Apostle Paul says that we are to provide for those who may not be very tolerant of us. By doing so “you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads” (Romans 12:20). The Lord allows our interaction with people who don’t believe in Jesus or who differ in their views about matters of the faith. The key to being Christ-like in these situations is to keep your eyes on Him and not the person. We must be careful, however, to not endorse the modern belief that all religions lead to God. For the Christian, Jesus is the truth (John 14:6), and that must not be compromised. We are called to tolerate and even love those whose beliefs (or lack of belief) is different than our own. In doing so, we place ourselves in a position to become an effective witness for what we believe to be true. Scripture says, “A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth” (2 Timothy 2:23-26).

Even the most intolerant of individuals can recognize true and unconditional love from Christians. Loving those who are intolerant of the faith empowers the believer to show love, just as Jesus did. If tolerance calls us to be respectful of the beliefs of others, then Christianity is in full agreement. Those who demonstrate true tolerance will seek God’s wisdom and discernment before speaking with people who they know will disagree with them (James 1:5). In the end, there are times that you just have to respectfully agree to disagree.  It is one thing to have and maintain a differing position; it is quite another to ridicule a person. We must hold fast to the Truth while showing compassion to those who question it.

REFLECTION: What types of personalities trigger your tolerance button? When you are challenged in your Christian belief, do you find that you are respectful or do become defensive? What steps might you take in order to become more tolerant of others who hold positions different than your own?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., OCTOBER 26 , 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

AUTUMN FINGERPRINTS

“For they are like a breath of air; their days are like a passing shadow.” (Psalm 144:4)

As I look out my window or take a walk through the park, it’s easy to see that the season is changing. We are reminded of the ending of the vibrancy of summer as evidenced by the beautiful flowers which have lost their grandeur surrendering to hues of brown and gray.  Once thriving leaves drop from their branches bursting with color but are now dying. Colder temperatures flow in and bright, long days full of sunshine move out. Yes, Autumn is here again, and I have never been a fan. I have often wondered if it somehow stems from my youth when the darkness of the early evening signaled that it was time to put aside playtime and redirect my focus on the more serious task of my studies. Then too – the arrival of ‘Fall’ meant that when I would go outside, I had to “bundle up so I wouldn’t catch cold,” as my mother would so aptly put it. This week I pulled the remaining tomatoes from the garden and discarded the fresh flowers which had been brought in from the yard to escape the pending frost waiting in the wings.

It was the tossing of those wilted flowers that got me to thinking. For the past week or so, they had been held in water contained in an antique vase which has been in our family for generations. As I washed out the vessel, I held it carefully to make sure it would not slip out of my hands and break. I wondered about the many ancestors who had held that vase and how long it had been since their fingerprints remained on its surface. Then I thought again about those brown leaves on the ground just outside. Those very leaves that displayed the green of summer and later the colors of early autumn now provide a fingerprint on the earth. Their decay will provide nourishment for the soil and in the spring will help to bring forth a new season of beauty. It brings enlightened meaning to that familiar scriptural passage, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2). Certainly God must have a purpose for the seasons of nature as well as the seasons of our life. As I watch these leaves drop one by one, I should consider that He is simply making room for the gifts which He is preparing for us in the future.

For those of us who have never been crazy about autumn, we might ask what it is that God intends for us to see. When we look at a fallen leaf or disintegrating summer flower, it might be appropriate to reflect on this Biblical thought: For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Peter 1:24-25).  We too are a finite and fallen creation soon to pass. Any glory we claim to have is as short-lived as the leaves of summer. We seek to accomplish much, but in the end – we disappear from this earth. Therefore, it would be prudent for us to ponder what fingerprint we will leave for those generations which follow. We will make our greatest impact if we would strive to understand the Word of God and follow the teachings of Jesus.  Unlike the decaying leaves of the season, these will endure, because God never changes. He is “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

So we find ourselves caught between the abundance of summer and dormancy of winter in the momentary uniqueness of autumn. Autumn is a study in contrasts, and the result is a strange mixture of nostalgia, blessings, and potential. It yields the harvest of seeds we’ve sown throughout life and braces us for colder days to come. We might find that this a good time to focus on our commitment to God. When life’s autumn arrives, we look back and gain a better understanding of the way He has led us. But in this time of transition, we should recognize we still have work to do.  We are reminded that we need to let go of anything that would hinder a fresh relationship with Him. During this season, trust God fully as you wait for the harvest. He has a good plan for each life, though some days the fruit may not be evident. As we watch those dancing leaves fall to the ground and place their fingerprint on the earth, we too must reach an understanding that we must die unto ourselves and become a new creation (Luke 9:23-24). As we do this, we will soon learn that the rebirth of springtime is just around the corner.

REFLECTION: As you look back at the various seasons of your life, in what ways do you find evidence of God’s loving presence? What are you holding onto that is preventing a freshness to the current season ahead? What fingerprints of your life will you leave behind that will positively impact others?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., OCTOBER 19 , 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

WHO’S IN CHARGE OF YOU?

                        “But I am trusting you, O LORD, saying, ‘You are my God!’                            My future is in your hands.”  (Psalm 31:14-15a)

You have no doubt seen the bumper stickers which profess, “God is My Co-pilot.”  The saying was perhaps taken from the 1943 Robert Lee Scott Jr. World War II memoir using these same words and later adapted as a 1945 film. Some in the Christian community have been critical that this expression sends the wrong message. They argue that when we say that God is a ‘co-anything’ – it makes Him the same as that with which He is compared. For instance, by saying God is your co-pilot, you may be giving the impression that you are equal to God. You may also be unintentionally indicating that you don’t totally trust God, because you are not allowing Him to be fully in charge. In the specific case of an airplane, the co-pilot fully takes over the controls from the main pilot only when told to do so. This begs the question:  if God is our co-pilot, do we do as we please and go where we want and only let God take over when needed? Would it be better perhaps to say, “God is My Pilot.”  It’s certainly food for thought.

In her 2019 book, Nerves of Steel, author Tammie Jo Shults tells a powerful personal story of landing a damaged Southwest Airliner. On April 17, 2018, Shults was the captain of a routine four-hour domestic flight carrying 148 passengers from the LaGuardia to Dallas airports. Only 20 minutes into the flight at about 32,000 feet, a piece of a turbine fan blade dislodged and caused catastrophic engine damage. The plane began to violently shudder, and debris shattered one of the passenger windows releasing air out of the cabin.  Passengers screamed, prayed, and began to send messages to their loved ones on the ground. Working together, Shults and her first officer were able to stabilize the aircraft. It was then that Shults made an intercom announcement stating, “We are not going down . . . we are going to Philly.” When the aircraft was cleared for landing, the Captain uttered two words in the form of a question: “Heavenly Father?” It was as if she yielded the control of the plane to a higher authority by asking, “Okay God – you got this?” With an aircraft that was resisting being steered in every way, Shults knew they had only one shot. And one shot was all that they needed.

One of the major reasons many Christians consistently fail in their lives is because they want to be in charge using God as a back-up when their plans do not work out. This attitude is always a platform for disaster. Consider the times you have tried to maintain control of your own life and ended up in one big mess. On those occasions you most likely turned to God ending up being rescued only when you finally surrendered to His will. When we decide to follow Christ, we must unlearn the falsehood that we are not the ‘captain of our own destiny’. Moses instructed Joshua and the people of Israel: “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8). In the midst of a life-or-death emergency, the Lord prepared and guided Captain Tammie Jo Shults through incredible feat. Afterwards, passengers said that her one simple reassuring message, “We’re not going down,” made all the difference. By stating this, the distraught travelers knew that their pilot was in control and that there was a plan and a safe destination awaiting them. As followers of Christ, we must cling to that viewpoint in our spiritual walk as well.

The passengers of the Southwest Airlines Flight quickly learned a lesson that sometimes the road is going to get bumpy. However, if you fully place your trust in the right captain – you will realize that He is in control. Like the Apostle Paul, we are affirmed by the turbulent times we experience. “And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering” (Romans 8:17). When we say God is our pilot instead of our co-pilot, we yield to His direction and recognize that because of His grace – we are indeed co-heirs.  Someone once said, “If God is your co-pilot, then switch seats. If the devil is your co-pilot, then switch planes!” Asking God to guide our vessel is a life-altering decision.  So . . . who’s in charge of you?

REFLECTION: Have there been aspects of your life you have released to God’s control? What parts have you attempted to personally control? What will it take to for you to fully allow God to be in charge?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., OCTOBER 12 , 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

PAY ATTENTION TO THE SMALL THINGS

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin …” (Zechariah 4:10)

As I began to reminisce about Aunt Sally, the thought of her brought a smile to my face. She was actually my mother’s aunt, but to all the family kids of my generation – she was one special lady. When you were privileged to be a guest in her home, you never got the slightest impression that she may have been engaged by your parents to babysit. From the minute you walked in her front door, she welcomed you with open arms and made you feel really special indeed. Spending a few hours with Aunt Sally meant that she was about to enter your world, not the other way around. She broke out her supply of games, and for however long you were there – you had her undivided attention. She was up in years (at least that was our perception), and she had been widowed for a long time. Her only child lived away with a family of her own, so when any one of us visited – we became her sole focus. She certainly understood what it meant to take care of the small things in life. And that we most certainly were.

God pays attention to the small things and often uses them to accomplish His work.  Faithfully following God’s instructions, Gideon reduced the size of his army to 300 soldiers to destroy a massive opposition of 135,000 Midianites who prepared to come against Israel (Judges 7). The Lord used a widow’s only possession, a small jar of oil, to feed her family for months (2 Kings 4:1-7). When Moses felt inadequate, God turned his rod into a serpent (Exodus 4:1-4), and He used David’s meager sling and rock to conquer Goliath (1 Samuel 17:50). Nothing illustrates the concept of ‘smallness’ any better than the boy who gave his lunch to Jesus and ended up feeding five thousand (John 6:9). Then there’s the widow who dropped her two coins into the offering and went on her way (Mark 12:42). Neither had any way of knowing what this meant to the Lord or that we would still be talking about them 2,000 years later.

I recently heard a pastor being interviewed on a radio talk show. He explained that his parents introduced the concept of tithing to him at a young age. At first when his 10% was 15 cents of his $1.50 allowance, that didn’t seem to be too significant. Years later when he received his monthly paycheck after accepting his first pastoral appointment, his tithe represented a much larger amount.  Giving his tithe would leave little for food and gas after he paid his routine expenses. But he did what he had always done and wrote out a check for God’s portion. The next day, the church secretary called to tell him that many families in the congregation wanted to get to know him better, so she took the liberty of scheduling him for dinners each night over the next month.  He daily sustenance had been taken care of, with lots of leftovers to spare. The problem with most of us is that we don’t want to start with the small thing.  When we graduate, we have no desire to start at the bottom of the pecking order as we go to work for a new employer. We expect a big salary, a large office and an important title on the door. After all, we are due these greater things. We feel we have worked hard, sacrificed much, and are ready to collect.

Perhaps there are things you too have thought to be too small. The Old Testament prophet reminds us that we should “not despise these small beginnings.” Implied in this scripture is the reflection that while we might hold them in disdain, our God is the one who has always used “small things” to accomplish His purposes. Consider accepting the challenge to tackle what Jesus is calling you to do right where you are. Let your dreams be no bigger than the next person you meet. He would ask us to be more sensitive to others who are facing situations that we might consider to be ‘no big deal.’ However, to those individuals – their circumstances may be huge. Your slightest attention to their seemingly small need might have life-altering implications for them. Jesus reminds us: “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones.” (Luke 16:10). When it comes right down to it, nothing is too small for God to use as He cares for His people. So what apparently insignificant situation are you ignoring today?  If you give it the attention it deserves, you will discover that the Lord is sufficient to supply all your needs. Learn to pay attention to the small things, my friend.  Not only would you make Aunt Sally proud . . . the Lord will be praised and your life will be blessed.

REFLECTION: What are the big goals in your life to which you often give your attention? When you do so, have you considered what small things you are frequently overlooking? How might you refocus some of your priorities in order to let God use these “small things” for His purposes?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., OCTOBER 5 , 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

CHASING HAPPINESS

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

“Now listen to what I said, in your life expect some trouble; When you worry you make it double.” These are just two lines from the lyrics of the well-known Bobby McFerrin song, Don’t Worry, Be Happy. It wasn’t only the song’s acapella style but also its content to which millions of listeners connected. It seems as if our current culture is hardwired to pursue happiness. We’re always looking for it, whether we realize it are or not. If it’s bigger, has more bells and whistles, or if it just feels good – we assume that it will bring us happiness . . . at least for a while. For many – ultimate happiness ends up being based on an accumulation of more stuff, greater wealth, and the freedom to do what we want when we want. Recent surveys on American Happiness conducted by the Harris Poll organization revealed that only one in three persons surveyed indicated that they were happy.  But interestingly enough, the majority of the respondents shared that their spiritual beliefs were a positive guiding force in their lives.

The United States Declaration of Independence states, we are provided by our Creator “with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Therefore, happiness is frequently considered to be an entitlement. While Christians and non-Christians would no doubt agree that happiness should be a human goal, they should however disagree how this goal is best achieved. God loves nothing more than to make those of us who are chasing worldly happiness truly, deeply joyful. Throughout the Bible, He shows us the path to happiness and joy contained in the Holy Scriptures.  A perfect example is when the psalmist says to God with evident delight: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11). We must consider that when personal happiness becomes our ‘be all, end all’ – it controls the governing principle in our individual lives rather than the Holy Spirit. The thought process in our decisions is no longer, “Is this right and pleasing to God?” but rather, “Will this make me happy?” Joy, instead, is not dependent on our circumstances. It is reflective of God’s Spirit who dwells within us.

Bestselling author Max Lucado provides a personal plan for a life filled with lasting and fulfilling joy, supported by Jesus’ teaching and modern research. In his book How Happiness Happens: Finding Lasting Joy in a World of Comparison, Disappointment, and Unmet Expectations, Lucado says that we actually find ourselves in our happiest moments when we are in the process of serving others. His thoughts parallel those of the Apostle Paul who said: “You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Both Lucado and Paul would undoubtedly agree that the way to happiness is not through selfishness but selflessness . . . that we are at our best when we give it all away. A number of years ago, U.S. News and World Report explored the subject of happiness. According to the article, researchers have stated that “helping people be a little happier can jump-start a process that will lead to stronger relationships, renewed hope, and general upward spiraling of happiness.”

It’s tempting to use the promise of happiness as a reason why others should become Christians. Overemphasizing that happiness comes from following Christ can be disillusioning for any Christian when trials hit. Recognize that we don’t find happiness . . . we create it. The Lord’s desire is that we live in complete joy. Then when happy moments, happy relationships, and happy results come to an end – joy remains. During tough moments, painful stages – it’s not our strength but His power that lifts us up and carries us through. Happiness ends in time; joy lasts as long as God’s love. He promised: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:9-11). We can choose joy when happiness isn’t possible . . . and we should not ever feel the need to chase after it.

REFLECTION: What are your happiest moments? Do they last? Are you still searching for the ‘lasting happiness’ stage of your life? What keeps you from accepting the eternal gift of joy that God offers?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., SEPTEMBER 28 , 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

. . . AND YOU INVITED ME IN

 “I have never turned away a stranger but have opened my doors to everyone.” (Job 31:32)

A sometimes-overlooked story occurred on 9/11/2001, one that should never be forgotten. It happened as a result of the terrorist attacks in America but occurred instead in a small Canadian town of Gander on the island of Newfoundland in the North Atlantic Ocean.  The village nearly doubled its population when it took in 6,700 people from nearly 100 countries as 38 planes were grounded following word of the attacks in New York and Washington. The local airport knew it would be impacted, as it is the closest point between Europe and the United States.  For five days the townspeople provided meals, offered entertainment and even invited people into their homes to take showers or make telephone calls. Their simple hospitality to the unexpected house guests (who came to be known as ‘The Plane People’) drew worldwide accolades and even inspired a Broadway musical, Come from Away. The passengers who were housed in schools, churches and community centers tried to compensate their hosts for their many kindnesses. But they were told, “Oh no, you would do the same.” Maybe so . . . maybe not. Here, in this unlikely place, there was witness to the best of humanity on a day when it also evidenced its worst.

In the post-depression family drama, The Waltons, which aired for nine seasons in the 1970’s-80’s, the eleven-member household of three generations offered their home to anyone who needed it. This included runaways, gypsies, orphans, and folks who were stranded . . . they took them all in. While their offer of comfort and protection was admirable, our culture has dramatically changed since that time. Whether it’s the person who rings our doorbell or a foreigner who stands at our nation’s border, we have to be cautious these days as to who we let in. It’s a bit ironic how one of the buzz terms for those seeking safe harbor has come to be referred to as a ‘sanctuary’ while in the Old Testament, the sanctuary was described as “the Most Holy Place” (1 Kings 8:6). Let us consider that the term hospitality might serve as a more appropriate reference for these acts of kindness, since there is evidence of its regarded expectation in many cultures from Biblical times continued through the early days of our society.

Indeed, hospitality is a virtue that is both commanded and praised throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, we read of Abraham’s humble and generous display of hospitality to three strangers. Wealthy and elderly, Abraham could have called on one of his many servants to tend to the three unannounced visitors. Yet the hospitable and righteous Abraham generously gave them the best he had to offer. And, as it turned out, he entertained the Lord and two angels (Genesis 18:1-8). In the New Testament, Jesus and His disciples depended entirely on the hospitality of others as they ministered from town to town. Jesus discussed the hospitable behavior of those who will inherit the kingdom: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in . . . “ (Matthew 25:35). The early Christians were welcomed by persons like Gaius of Corinth who not only offered his home for Paul but apparently “to the whole church” as well (Romans 16:23). He was a great example of hospitality, while probably doing so at great risk to himself.

So how risky is it to be hospitable these days? It is probably not overstated to say that most of us are cautious about entertaining strangers. While we might invite an unfamiliar family from church or a new coworker at our place of employment into our home, we cannot ignore the fact that we are challenged and expected to be hospitable to those with whom we have absolutely no connection. As followers of Christ we emulate His love and compassion when we show hospitality, not only to fellow Christians but even more so to the lonely and less fortunate. The writer of Hebrews reminds us not to forget “to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it” (Hebrews 13:2). Biblical hospitality is something that a Christ-like servant provides cheerfully from the heart. It begins with a good attitude and is given to all without respect of persons. We are challenged these days to be comfortable in doing so. But if we are to follow Christ’s directive – we must find a way.

REFLECTION: What are some ‘cautious’ ways that you might show hospitality to the less fortunate (such as volunteering at a local shelter/food pantry or inviting missionaries sponsored by a local church for dinner)? How might you ask the Lord to use your hospitality in a way that is pleasing to Him?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., SEPTEMBER 21 , 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

. . . AND YOU VISITED ME

  “I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” (Isaiah 46:4)

The conversation I overheard was between two friends, one of whom was caring for her sick mother at home. She was speaking in a terse tone about her cousin who lived in another part of the state. The cousin, her mother’s niece, recently drove past the town where they lived and sent a text that she would like to stop by to see her aunt in the next half hour or so. The daughter did not have her cell phone on her person and didn’t receive the message until hours later. She was expressing frustration that the cousin could have been more considerate in giving her more notice to respond. The friend remarked that the whole episode looked like an after-thought. The daughter said that to her it seemed more like the cousin wanted to appear as if she was trying to fulfill an obligation but really wasn’t all that anxious to visit. It prompted me to recall when my own father was fighting a terminal illness, some of his siblings pulled away. Either they were uncomfortable with his dying, or they just didn’t know what to say.

I remember the Biblical story of Job who the Lord referred to as “blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8). God allowed Job’s faithfulness to be tempted by Satan who said, “But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!” (Job 2:5). God used the decline in health as a test and as part of His sovereign plan for Job’s life. “When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him” (Job 2:11). They stayed with him for seven days and nights and empathized with their friend in silence. Anyone who has spent time with a suffering friend knows how hard it is to remain present without grasping for answers.  The silence of these three men did not last forever, as they gave a series of speeches which included many inaccuracies, primarily involving why God allows people to suffer. Their overarching belief was that Job was suffering because he had done something wrong. A prevailing thought existed in that those days that if you were sick, it was a punishment from God. Many years later, the teachings of Jesus influenced a new way of thinking: “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven” (James 5:15). While Job’s friends met their obligation by showing up, empathizing, and giving time – their repeated insistence that he repent so that God would bless him again was condemned by God (Job 42:7). In fact, following Job’s time of suffering – God blessed him with twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10).

Recently I heard a discussion of a non-fiction book (Finding Chika) by author Mitch Albom. While working at a Haitian orphanage, Mitch and his wife Janine became attached to a five-year-old girl who they decided to bring to their home in the United States, because she had a sickness that could not be cured there. Due to her weakness, it became necessary for Mitch to carry the child from place to place. As time passes, he decided that he needed to return to his primary work. When the child questions him, he tries to explain that he has to do his job. Without hesitation, the little girl says to him that he has to stay, because “your job is to carry me.”  After they embark on a two-year, around-the-world journey to find a cure, Chika ends up becoming a permanent member of the Albom family. Ultimately, there is a profound lesson to be learned from this little one. That is . . . we become defined by what we carry. This includes our physical presence with a hurting friend – an effort that can be a great comfort in and of itself, even if we have no words to say. In one of His parables, Jesus demonstrated how we are to respond toward those who are oppressed in society. One of His central statements is, “I was sick and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:36). When we are willing to enter into the pain of a suffering friend, we follow the example of Jesus who came to bear our pain and suffer in our place. In this one simple act, we provide a living illustration and witness to His sacrifice. While many of us are given to public professions of faith, our own self-interests can become obvious. When we absent ourselves from sitting next to one who feels forgotten, we must accept the burden of denying them our visit during their darkest hour.

REFLECTION: Every week you no doubt become aware of someone who is suffering from health concerns. How do you respond? Does visiting those who are sick or incapacitated make you feel uncomfortable? How will you challenge yourself to work toward you overcoming these concerns?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., SEPTEMBER 14 , 2019. COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.