“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)

Several years ago, I had a serious problem with my computer. Somewhere along the line, it must have gotten infected with a virus, commonly referred to as malware. I had a computer geek look at it and try to clean up the problem. However, it was beyond repair and I ended up having to get a new computer. During this period of time, I was able to get some of my programs to operate.  In order to accomplish this, I had to select the ‘safe mode’ function when I booted the system.  What was interesting about all of this was that the programs which enable me to write and post this Christian blog remained functional. While they did not operate as smoothly as they would under normal circumstances, they were able to be used as long as I persevered.  In a way, it was symbolic of what we frequently face in life many days; that is, the challenge to struggle through the difficulties and inconveniences with which we are often faced while at the same time trying to maintain a sense of security.

The concepts of safety and security are common cultural language. Parents want to be assured that their children are free of bullying, whether it is on the playground or on social media. Employers lower their risk in certain job categories by requiring that applicants for employment are able to pass a criminal background check. We can purchase monitoring systems for our home in order to give us a sense of safety where we live. Securing national borders and not allowing people into the country who do not have the proper documentation has been a huge part of political discussions. Conversely, in many areas of the world – persons of faith must practice their beliefs in secret or they will risk persecution, up to and including death. Killed before he turned forty years of age, a now well-known German Lutheran pastor by the name of Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed in a Nazi concentration camp only weeks before the Germans surrendered to the Allied Forces in 1945. His book, The Cost of Discipleship, and the practice of his writings no doubt cost him his life.

In our walk with Christ, we come to realize that God eventually leads us where we need to be. Along the way, His provisions are sufficient to keep us safe and secure. We simply need to trust Him. There is probably no better example than when He rescued the children of Israel from Egyptian captivity. During their journey, God sent daily manna for them to eat. The Lord told Moses that He would test them to see if they would follow His explicit instructions (Exodus 16:4-5).  Disobeying His command, they took more food than they required for a day (Exodus 16:20). On the sixth day, they failed His instruction to save enough to sustain them through the Sabbath (Exodus 16:27-28). The lesson here is that the Lord provides exactly what is needed for those who love Him and follow direction according to His purpose.  Like Dietrich Bonhoeffer – we must have an ‘all-in’ approach knowing that in this life, we might not always find ourselves in a situation where we feel safe and secure.  But like the Apostle Paul we must say, “I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,”

We are fortunate to not know exactly where the road of this life will take us. There are some things we can do that will help us feel more protected. Like life itself, however, we will learn that many of these remedies are short-lived. Meanwhile we can be assured that the Lord, our God, will keep us in ‘safe mode’.  For wherever we discover our position in life, scripture reminds us: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). For many, this life will find little but insecurity and they will not rest until they “lie down and sleep” (Psalm 4:8) in the company of God. As the hymnist Elisha Hoffman wrote in her lyrics, it is only when we come to know Him that we are “safe and secure from all alarm.”  Where is that, you ask?  It is only when we find ourselves “Leaning On the Everlasting Arms” of Jesus.

REFLECTION: What are some ways we can stand for Jesus in today’s society?  In doing so, what are the potential consequences we might face? How do we bring balance to openly expressing our faith with the assurance of knowing that “Our help is in the name of the Lord…” (Psalm 124:8)

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., AUGUST 13, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” (Ephesians 5:1)

A friend was recently telling me about her daughter’s wedding. When I looked at some pictures from the event, I stated how much the daughter resembled the mother. My friend smiled and said that when she first met her daughter’s maid-of-honor, she immediately stated – “You have to be Stacy’s mom. As soon as you got out of the car and walked this way, I knew without question who you were because of your mannerisms.”  It’s like that old expression. You know the one: “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” That can be a good thing, as in, “He graduated at the top of his class, just like his father.  I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Or it can also have a negative connotation. “She has the same nasty disposition as her mother.  As they say, the apple . . .”  You get the point!

Imitation is a part of growing up. As children, we try on mom’s jewelry or attempt to fit into dad’s shoes to be just like them.  As we get a little older, it becomes fashionable to wear a particular style or look a certain way. This has not significantly changed over time.  If you were a flapper or wore a zoot suit, you lived in the 1920’s. Donning a poodle skirt or a Beatle cut? Then you must have grown up in the 1950’s or 60’s. A decade or so later, you would have worn bell-bottom anything.  Big hair and denim jackets were part of the 1980’s. Grunge, fanny packs, bleached hair and pierced everything highlighted the culture of the ‘90’s. As we rolled into Y2K and beyond – crocs, low-rise jeans, and whatever would enhance your ‘selfie-image’ took precedence. While fads like these come and go and the memory pictures surface to haunt us years later – in most cases, they are simply a passing fancy. Ultimately, it becomes more about the people we allow in our lives that will make an indelible mark on who we turn out to be.

In Jesus’ day, there is perhaps no better example of imitation than the education of Jewish boys who desired to become a rabbi. Only the most outstanding young men were given the opportunity to do so, at times being required to leave home for a period of time to intensely study under one. In these cases, it was not enough to acquire the knowledge of the teacher/rabbi.  The disciples of the rabbi noted everything he said and every action he made. Doing his best to imitate it, the successful student would replicate the lifestyle and mannerisms so as to become like him in every way. John the apostle gave the same instruction for followers of Jesus in that “whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked (1 John 2:6.) The New International Version (NIV) of the Bible states it this way: “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

This instruction should give us pause to reflect on who it is we are modeling or with whom we are spending time. Unfortunately, many find themselves ‘guilty by association” rather than “redeemed by grace”.  The themes of political candidacies serve to remind us that whatever we did, however we acted, or who we might have hung out with will later haunt us as the photographs, records, and statements are openly released in every attempt to turn a future constituency away from us. Why anyone, these days, would want to run for public office is beyond my comprehension!  Lucky for we who recognize that we are sinners to also know that we “are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).  So, who or what is it that you cherish above all others?  Is it the latest craze, the love of money, or the attention you receive from others? Or is it something even worse?  None of these will protect and preserve your very being. As part of a prayer, David echoed these words – “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 17:8). In assessing our relationship with God, would anyone venture to look at us and say, “the apple sure doesn’t fall far from the tree?” Let it be so in your life. For whenever we make the decision to walk with Jesus, we will find that we are in pretty good company and not at all far from a life-saving, well-rooted tree.

REFLECTION: Who and what is influencing your life habits? Are these influences drawing you closer to or further away from God? Is there anyone who could say that the time they spent with you was the closest experience they have ever had to walking with Jesus?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., AUGUST 6, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

       For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,           Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)

I heard recently that a pastor stood before his church on a Sunday morning and asked the congregation, “How many of you are scared? If so, raise your hand.”  The response was that many of those present did so. In the midst of a time when our country and world is experiencing an extreme amount of gun violence, this response should not surprise us. A sense of uncertainty rises and fear sets in when those who have been hired to protect us become the targets. We question whether it is safe to go shopping at the mall or watch a movie in a theater. We become concerned whether our children will be protected at school. Complicate that with the turmoil of cultural divisions and atrocities of radical terrorism –  it is no wonder that many people are scared. In today’s world – fear is a common response, and what we do with it will determine who we are as a person.

Social media and advertising all send a persistent message that people should be afraid. We are warned to safeguard our personal identity and our private information. It is being advised that we should stockpile silver and gold in case the financial system collapses. We hear that there are those who purchase dehydrated food packets to feed their families in the event there is a national emergency. Hysteria is pervasive, and it affects the way we view life. Our politicians sometimes capitalize on the concept of a frightening world and pledge that if elected, they will make it better. Such statements are not new to the political arena. This was the case when Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in 1933 at one of the most troublesome times of our nation during the depth of the depression. In his first inaugural address, he said – “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

The only fear we should have is the fear of the Lord, but it is not a fear that calls us to be afraid. It is rather a recognition of who He is and our worshipful response to His awesomeness. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10) and an acknowledgement of His holiness. Having been given the assignment to ‘Explain God’ – an eight-year-old California boy by the name of Danny Dutton is credited with the following revelation: ‘If you don’t believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can’t go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He’s around you when you’re scared, in the dark or when you can’t swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.” Danny not only understood the meaning of fear, but he knew where to place his hope and find assurance. He is able to echo similar words to those of David, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3). Regardless of what is happening in the world around us, we do not need to indicate that we are afraid.  “So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:6).

If you remember a time when you were quite fearful, you no doubt experienced feelings of horror, panic, or despair. A few years ago, the captain of an Italian cruise ship, the Costa Concordia, abandoned ship and 32 passengers were lost when the vessel capsized and sank after striking an underwater rock obstruction. Those of us who know God as our Captain will never feel abandoned. He spoke to His chosen people through the prophet Isaiah who found themselves in exile and captivity hundreds of years before the birth of Christ.  “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).  Likewise, we have no reason to believe that He does not have the same message for we who follow Him today. Those whom He has chosen as His faithful servants are always provided the same promise. Fear only sets in when we lose sight of God and who He is.

REFLECTION:  Recall a time in your life when you were afraid. To whom did you call on for help? What are your greatest fears today?  Do you handle them differently than you once did?  Romans 8:31 states: “if God is for us, who can be against us?”  How can you apply that theme in your daily journey? Are there ways that you might also share this passage with others who share their fears with you?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JULY 30, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains: From where shall my help come?” (Psalm 121:1)

When I go shopping with a relative of mine, we have two different philosophies. Mine is to get what I want and get out. Hers is more patient and relaxed. In my way of thinking, I will spend a minimal amount of time looking for the items on my list. However, if I can’t find what I want and it’s something I need or think the store has, I will find someone and ask for help. She will occasionally get upset with me if in the course of her searching, I simply turn to a clerk to inquire further. When the store employee isn’t able to assist us, she will say – “See they don’t know any more than we do.” Sometimes, however, they are able to lead me to the item, provide additional information, or suggest an alternate solution.  I guess I am never hesitant about asking, because I simply view it as part of their role.

Today, help is available to us in so many forms. There are food pantries and shelters for persons who struggle meeting their basic needs. If you are looking for a job or are an employer searching for help, there are recruiters who offer services. Out of work or disabled? There is government assistance for you. If you are in an emergency situation, you can call 9-1-1. Or if you are elderly and have the right equipment, you can use your “help I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” device.  There are medical clinics for those who have chronic health concerns. Many community organizations and churches sponsor helplines for people who need counseling services or are in crisis. In need of directions? Then your GPS can provide them. Educational scholarships are accessible to qualifying individuals. There are financial institutions to help you borrow money for a new home or another project. Some would and have, in fact, argued that there is so much help available that in many ways – we have created a dependent society.

There is an expression that has been around for decades which states – “God helps those who help themselves.” It is probably one of those frequently quoted phrases that most persons think is sacred. However, it is not found in the Bible. Whatever the original source of this saying, the teachings we find in scripture are quite the contrary. When Jesus told his disciples that He would be leaving them –  they asked Him to show them the way where He would be going (John 14:5). He explained that He was ‘the way’ and that He would be with the Father (John 14:6-7). He stated: “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.  If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:13-17). God knew that ultimately we would be incapable of helping ourselves, so He provided a spiritual Helper for all who believe.

In the Old Testament, we find that the psalmist also understood where to find relief from the distress of life. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Those of us who seek the refuge He provides will realize all the help we will ever need.  For help which is God-given can be defined as His Eternal Liberating Promise.  It is His and His alone. It is Eternal because it is everlasting. It is Liberating, because it frees us from the worry and burdens which somehow find us. Finally, it is also a Promise that He made and will provide to all those who love Him.  So if you are struggling this day to find the right kind of help, look beyond the hills and the other creations of this world. Instead, look to the One who created them. For not only did the psalmist ask the question, “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains: From where shall my help come?” (Psalm 121:1). He also knew the answer as he replied, “My help comes from the LORD.  Who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2).  Likewise, we too should know from where our best source of help will always be found and never be reluctant to seek it.

REFLECTION:  To what sources have your turned in the past year to find the help you have needed?  Which ones did you find to be true and lasting?  On what do you rely on for a sense of assurance, peace, security, and comfort?  How would you explain to a non-believer that the sources of help in this world are never long-lasting but that you know One who can provide help that is life-sustaining?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JULY 23, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?” (James 4:12)

All around us, there are now monitoring and security cameras. They are at your ATM machine, in your favorite department store, attached to traffic lights, stationed around public areas, and secured to police vehicles. In each of these cases, the installation of these cameras was done with the intention of catching someone doing something wrong. Many a theft or traffic violation can be substantiated through their use, and playback footage is often all the proof that is needed to show that an individual was breaking the law. There is no longer a reasonable escape from the camera, as one can go online and pull up a satellite view of your home. In addition, anyone who has a cell phone now has a camera at their disposal and will immediately activate it for their own purposes without much regard for the other person’s right of privacy.  Through all the benefit of these devices, I wonder how often they are used to demonstrate that someone is actually up to something good.

American humorist and entertainer Will Rogers is credited with having said, “I never met a man I didn’t like.” Whether he actually meant it or otherwise made this remark tongue-in-cheek, it is a statement to which I cannot personally ascribe in my own life journey. For there are many a man (and woman) for whom I have not cared, and in some cases I have misjudged those individuals. Maria happens to be one of those. She used to visit her mother at a long-term health care facility which I also frequented. My impressions of her were mostly derived from her demeanor. She barely smiled, and to me, came across as being a really nasty lady.  I formed opinions about her which were incorrect.  Years later, I found out through several mutual friends that she is a very giving individual. It is not unusual for her to show up at the hospital to sit with the family members of an ill person or extend an invitation to her home for special holiday meals to persons who might otherwise be alone. One day, she was behind me in line at the grocery store. Feeling guilty for the judgements I had made about her, I said – “Maria I have been hearing such wonderful stories about all the kind things you do for people.” She simply replied by saying that she is just doing what we are supposed to do. Yes, she was, and by prejudging her – I certainly was not.

How and when are we supposed to judge, if at all?  Jesus said, “Do not judge or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1).  Is it a contradiction that He also said, “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment” (John 7:24)?  So often when we make a judgment about someone else, we might also find that if we look closely at our own life – we may be guilty of doing the same thing.  That is why He made the statement “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3). However, when there are no standards – there is nothing by which to measure behavior. A personnel director has to make certain judgments about an employee’s work. A teacher must make a judgment about a student’s performance before issuing a grade. A parent must judge a child’s behavior prior to handing out a punishment. Some may even argue that in our day and age, we need more—not less—judgment. But how often do we allow it to serve for something good?

Long before Jesus walked the face of the earth, Joseph (son of Jacob) was sold into slavery by his older brothers because they were jealous of him. God proved his presence and protection for Joseph, providing him with the divine ability to interpret dreams including that of a great famine. The Pharaoh rewarded Joseph with overseeing the land of Egypt. During prosperous times he stored up an abundant harvest which he was later able to share with his brothers, thereby saving a nation from starvation. Although at first they did not recognize him, he revealed his identity and forgave them. He said to them: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good…” (Genesis 50:20). If God can make good out of circumstances like these, then we certainly should try to search for the same in others.

REFLECTION: Have you sometimes been guilty of making a negative judgement of others with no real reason to do so? Are there ways you might find to look for the good in people before you form any opinion of them?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JULY 16, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” (1 Peter 2:16)

I once had a neighbor who liked to stay busy doing projects. He had a problem though, because he frequently did not see them through to completion. One day while his wife was ranting about how he never finished what he started – he leaned over the backyard fence and said, “I have a philosophy.”  “What’s that?” I inquired. He shrugged his shoulders and replied stating – “If it doesn’t get done by the Fourth of July, it doesn’t get done.” I guess he felt that after that date, there was not enough of summer remaining to bother; thereby hoping to get an earlier start next year. Or, on the other hand, maybe he realized there was just enough summer left to enjoy himself, and he wanted to be free from being tied down. It’s interesting sometimes how we express our desire for a sense of entitlement regarding free time, especially when we are burdened with a lot of responsibilities such as work and family.

The Fourth of July is a time to pause and think about the freedoms we have in America. Freedom means many things to many people.  We can view freedom politically, as having the opportunity to vote for particular ideas, people, or parties which best represent our views.  Closely tied to this is the notion of freedom of speech, where one has the liberty to voice their personal opinion or perspective. In recent days, there are those who have expressed concerns that our basic freedoms are being challenged by society. The framers of the Constitution, known to be God-fearing men, made a sincere effort to establish a new nation on biblical principles. One of the liberties they recognized was freedom of religion. Thomas Jefferson called religious freedom “the most inalienable and sacred of all human rights.” The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution includes the following words: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Religious liberty includes the right to freely practice any religion or no religion without government coercion or control.

Freedom is also expressed clearly in God’s Word.  In the creation story, God gave Adam and Eve freedom to make decisions.  “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die’” (Genesis 2:16-17). God created Adam and Eve to be free beings able to make choices. Giving them the ability to follow Him of their own accord was the only way for them to be truly free.  In Matthew 19:16-20, a rich young ruler comes to Jesus. After a brief conversation about what he must do to obtain eternal life, Jesus states that he must “keep the commandments.” He states that he has done this and asks Jesus what he is still lacking. “Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property (Matthew 19:21-22). The striking point here is that Jesus let him go. God does not force us to believe in Him. Faith is commanded but never coerced. We have freedom to choose.

True freedom occurs only when the heart is changed and made new. This is accomplished by His Holy Spirit whenever we make a conscious decision to follow Him. The Apostle Paul said: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17). If you are one of those who is looking for freedom in the various corners of human society, you may struggle to find it. If you do encounter it somewhere along your journey, you may find it to be short-lived. That is, of course, unless you have connected with The Holy One who provides that real sense of freedom for which you have been searching all along. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). For all who find themselves searching, you don’t have to be concerned that your project needs to be found by the Fourth or July, or else. There is One who will always welcome you with open arms. All you have to do is make the choice. This is true freedom. This is grace. It is yours simply for the asking.

REFLECTION: Do you find a sense of freedom in serving God? Are there ways that you feel society creates a challenge to your basic right to freely worship? How would you help someone who struggles with the concept that belief in God feels more like enslavement to a set of rules than it does real freedom?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JULY 9, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” (Psalm 16:5-6)

As I was riding with my friend in her car, she remarked that when we stopped she would have to make an adjustment to the mirror on the passenger side of the vehicle. She explained that she had moved it inward close to the side of the car because it was being attacked by a male cardinal. I had never heard of this before, but when I got home I did a little research. Sure enough, while a male cardinal may accept a different bird species in the nearby area where he has staked his territory – it will not tolerate another male cardinal. This is because too many of one species in that zone may deplete the desired food sources and nesting locations, thus exhibiting as a threat.  When a cardinal sees its reflection as in my friend’s car mirror for instance, it’s perception is that there’s another like bird in his territory and it will attack until the other retreats. In nature it will just go away, but in a reflection, of course, he remains. Therefore, the cardinal will continue to pursue his own image.

Animals are very territorial; however, staking out one’s territory is very common to man as well. If you ever shared a bedroom with a sibling when you were young, it would not be unusual to establish an imaginary line down the middle of the room. The premise to this exercise was most often followed by the affirmation, “You stay on your side, and I’ll stay on mine.”  That works very well until it becomes necessary to cross the other’s space to go to the kitchen for a snack or to use the bathroom. It doesn’t get any better as we grow older. We’re not always good at sharing what we perceive to be ours, and as we grow into adulthood we find ourselves asserting our territory even more. When we buy our first house, we put up a fence to make it perfectly clear where the property lines are located. At work, we sometimes establish turf issues around projects or responsibilities which we deem to be our own. One must wonder how the God we worship feels about the boundaries we erect and the territories we protect.

A person with healthy boundaries takes responsibility for his own life and allows others to live theirs. Learning limitations at a young age is important. If as children we do not learn to follow those set for us in the home, it will be difficult to respect God’s as we become adults. In our spiritual journey, we learn to establish boundaries according to God’s law and the teachings of Christ.  We are to exercise self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Boundaries are a fruit of submitting to God’s will, and He will enable us to make godly choices. Establishing proper boundaries assists Believers in separation from the dark worldly influences to which we are frequently exposed. Instead as His followers, we find ourselves led “as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Healthy boundaries define expectations, but it is important that they also show respect for others. It’s difficult for us to see others who are not within our boundaries as God would. It isn’t easy not to feel anger, a sense of injustice, even fear, when we think that God loves someone who stands outside of what we believe to be our established borders. We have to be careful that we do not become self-righteous, being defined by pride. For just as God shows grace to me does not mean that there is less grace available to my neighbor. Scripture says that “The Lord tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries” (Proverbs 15:25). Even those who have less-defined boundaries than our own but who remain humble may have God’s blessing and protection more than the self-reliant sinner. If we are setting healthy and spiritually-led boundaries, then God will bless us. However, if we are maintaining distance simply because we desire to exclude someone, that is sinful.  For if we find ourselves like the cardinal looking into the mirror of life and see anything but God’s reflection, then it may be time to take a close look at the boundaries we have defined for ourselves.

REFLECTON:  Think about the boundaries you have set in your life? Do they raise you up or do they honor God?  How can we break free from those boundaries which have been defined for us, if we feel a conviction that they are not of God?  What should we do if we are part of organizations or other established groups whose core values are different than those within our own boundaries?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JULY 2, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.” (Psalm 119:114)

The other day, I ran into a lady I had not seen in a long time. She was sitting in a car waiting on her daughter who was doing some shopping. She rolled down the window and told me how happy she was to see me. On her last birthday, she had turned 95. To see and speak with her, you would have no idea she was that age. I had heard lately however that she had fallen, and I told her I was glad to see that she was doing alright. She proceeded to inform me her children were blaming the fall on the fact that she was wearing her favorite old pair of shoes. “Now,” she stated, “they are looking for them because they want to throw them away.” Bound and determined that was not going to happen, she just smiled and told me that she had hidden them in a place they would never find.

Hiding places meet different needs and depend on varying situations which confront us. Tragically, intended victims of several shootings in our nation have sought refuge. Anything from classrooms with barricaded doors to restrooms in secluded places have been used as sanctuary areas. The concept of hiding is often utilized in circumstances created by man in which we become fearful.   In the 1970’s, a biographical book was released about the life of Corrie ten Boom. Her amazing narrative is centered in the Netherlands in the 1940’s when that country was invaded by the Nazi’s. Having strong Christian values, the ten Boom family who made its living by running a watchmaker’s shop began to secretly shelter Jews in their home. The family’s mission was eventually discovered and they were imprisoned, eventually leaving Corrie to share their story many years later in The Hiding Place.

God’s Word is filled with passages about hiding beginning with Adam and Eve who hid from God (Genesis 3:8). Many of the prophets found themselves in hiding including Elijah from Jezebel (1 Kings 19:1-3). David was known to be one of the bravest men who ever lived, yet he is often noted in scripture to be hiding from someone, including Saul. But his friend Jonathan, Saul’s son, told him to “stay in a secret place and hide” himself (1 Samuel 19:1-3). Jesus, however, said that there is a time when we can no longer hide. The parable of ‘The Lamp Under a Bushel’ is reflected in three of the four gospels. In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus says: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

There will be always evil in the world from which we will sometimes want to hide. Some have guns; others just threaten to snuff out the light of our nation’s Christian heritage and the practice of our faith in public places. And yet even in our hiding from unjust men, we will find comfort in the loving arms of God who knows and holds our future. In The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom says: “There are no ‘ifs’ in God’s Kingdom. His timing is perfect. His will is our hiding place. Lord Jesus, keep me in Your will! Don’t let me go mad by poking about outside it.” As followers of Jesus, we will find our journey often conflicted. It’s difficult to let our light shine before others when we are often told that it is not acceptable for us to do so. While our light may still shine brightly in our homes and other private places, we find comfort in the words of the psalmist: “You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues” (Psalm 31:20). For one Dutch watchmaker and his family, what once could be lived openly now had to go into hiding. It’s indeed a shame when our old ways, even if it’s a pair of favorite shoes, have to be hidden even from those who say they love us the most.

REFLECTION: Have there been periods in your life when you have felt a need to go into hiding? Has this sometimes applied to your faith practices as well? Can you envision a time when Christianity will not be publicly tolerated and confined completely to our homes and churches?  In what ways do those who walk with Christ have to make sure that the light which we shine before men does not get hidden or completely snuffed out?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JUNE 25, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”  (James 1:12)

A friend of mine once told me that during the final semester of her senior year of college, she took a course Pass/Fail. What this essentially meant for her was that if she got anything but an “F” for the course, she would get academic credit. This is advantageous in some cases because the grade you achieve does not affect your overall grade point average (GPA).  About half-way through the semester, my friend came to the conclusion that there was a distinct possibility she might not pass the class. If she failed, she would not have enough academic credits to graduate. She decided to make an appointment to speak with the professor during his office hours. While presenting her dilemma to her teacher, she disclosed that she was taking the course pass/fail.  The professor admitted that educators were not normally aware of students who elected to do so. However, he promised her that if she came to all of the classes and showed an honest effort to learn, he would make sure that she would not fail.

My friend’s story somewhat reminds me of a company for which I was once employed. Throughout the year, each business unit was required to rate their performance in several key categories as either adequate or inadequate.  The basis for the rating was that each key category had defining factors which when evaluated helped to assess whether the various units were performing as they should. Many of us who used the system were frequently frustrated because the process was not always objective and often laborious. Additionally, it repeatedly did not bring about the desired performance results because the organization was either unwilling or unable to obligate the human and/or financial resources which might have improved the end-result.  I sometimes wonder if our faith journey isn’t all that different; we know that we are not always achieving the desired standard and we aren’t always ready or willing to commit.

When it comes to evaluating our relationship with God, we can sometimes find ourselves making a comparison with others. Unfortunately, it can become far too easy to relate our sins to those around us, justifying that ours most likely is not as bad as theirs.  Seeing sin on a sliding scale is not much different than an educator who grades on a curve. Grading on a curve essentially allows the other test takers to set the standard rather than the instructor who developed the test. It’s different in our spiritual journey. Jesus took the test on the cross and got a perfect score. The rest of us pale in comparison and pass because of His grace. Paul provides this counsel: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

So you must “choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15): a perfect God or a failing world.  The Apostle knew that Jesus was the only one who could ever score a 100 percent on God’s exam and that on his own he could never receive the passing score required for eternal life. He knew his entrance into heaven would only come through having total confidence in the ultimate teacher. “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins” (Romans 3:22-24). My friend had to be sincere about her course so that she could be free to graduate. When we trust in Christ, looking to him as our example, we too will find victory. Only then will we pass the test.

REFLECTION: When it comes to your walk with Christ, have you ever paused to wonder if you are making the grade? In doing so, what is your source for comparison? How can you work on letting go of the things of this world and move more toward those that count for eternity? Are there ways in which you might be helpful in also engaging others to follow by your example? Rick Warren has written: “If you’re a believer, then you’ve accepted Jesus into your life. But do you understand that God accepts you?  He loves you unconditionally and accepts you for who you are.” Your thoughts?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JUNE 18, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

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

I have a friend who recently had cataracts removed from each of her eyes. Months ago when she last visited her optometrist, she was informed that nothing more could done to improve her vision until she had this surgery. Over a course of the last several years, she had come to realize if she was driving in a strange area, it was easy to miss a street sign due to blurred vision. She had difficulty engaging in some of her hobbies, and routine chores like cooking and cleaning were more complicated because of her inability to focus. Trees and grass looked green, but she could no longer distinguish individual leaves or blades which were distorted. Now weeks after the procedure, she barely needed glasses. Many objects had taken on a new appearance, and colors of many things were different or more vivid than she had remembered. Her visual perspective had changed over time, and she hadn’t even realized it. Her view of life had become compromised.

Unless we stay focused on the right things, we can lose perspective in our spiritual life as well. Much of our faith is dedicated to the unseen. In this day and age, we live in a ‘show-me mentality’ world. If we do not keep grounded in God’s word and stay connected with Him in our prayer life – our faith can become blurred. For the skeptic, it can become easier to doubt than it is to believe.  I remember the first time I saw someone walking down the aisle of a food store presumably talking to themselves. I caught myself smiling when I realized that they were actually talking on their phone. But unless we truly see the smartphone or the blue tooth connection device, it’s so easy to jump to another conclusion. It creates a blind spot in our judgement, and we can almost comprehend how the non-believer must react when they observe us worshiping or praying to a God they cannot see. “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Most of us are familiar with the term blind spot as it applies to our car, usually defined by areas in which we cannot see other cars around us. If someone is passing as you are driving, you can see them in your rear or side view mirror, but there is a certain spot where they temporarily disappear. Yet they are still there. If we become insensitive to this blind spot, we can place ourselves in an unsafe situation. The human eye also has a blind spot—a small area on the retina which escapes our awareness. This is because our brain fills in this blank area with the surrounded images, making our field of vision appear to be seamless. We not only have blind spots in driving and in our eyes, we have them in life as well including gaps in our perception that keep us from seeing the truth about others and ourselves.  Too many of us live unnecessarily in defeat, restrained by our own mistakes or the faults of others. We stumble around in life with blind spots frequently blocking the work God wants us to do.

When the Pharisees investigated Jesus’ healing of a blind man, they asked Him if they too were blind? He said that because they could yet see, they were guilty of sin and therefore spiritually blind (John 9:35-41). The Apostle Paul put it another way: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). Not unlike my friend who lived with her cataracts and imperfect vision for many years, we are often blind to what we think we can see until the Great Physician reveals to us that our world had in fact been one big blur for a very long time.

REFLECTION:  Have there been times when you have lost perspective and had blind spots in certain areas of your life?  Are there persons in your life whom you can trust to make you aware when you are developing blind spots? Helen Keller once said: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.”  Can you apply her wisdom to correcting some of the blind spots in your journey?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JUNE 11, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.