In Stock

 Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Friday, January 30, 2015

Today's Title: In Stock!

Today's Scripture: Philippians 4:19

A few days ago, I was surfing the Internet when I happened to visit one of the online sites that sells books.  Now I am always in the market for a good and interesting book and fully intend on reading all the volumes I have in my collection.  In the meantime, however, I keep adding to the pile, ever on the lookout for additional books to add to my existing library. 

The website was divided into several sections, each one addressing a particular area of interest to the book lover.  There was a section for new publications, one section introduced new authors, there was a section for works by famous authors, and a wonderful search feature which allowed you to look up a work by author, title, or keyword.  Needless to say, I spent almost an hour just browsing through this particular company’s offerings.

There were at least five books which caught my interest and I investigated them further by looking up their prices and availability.  As soon as I selected a particular title, I was taken to a different page which described the book in greater detail.  There were several reviews by individuals who had purchased the book and these provided greater insight into the work and its author.  Finally, there was also information concerning the availability of the book for purchase.  Most of the books were available for shipment within 48 hours but a few of them were out of stock and required at least three weeks before they could be shipped. 

Since I was only browsing, I didn't purchase any of the books I researched.  Nevertheless, it occurred to me that if I wanted them, it would be at least two days to several weeks before I could actually put my hands on them and read them.  My ability to have the books in my possession depended on their availability and the amount of time the book seller required to locate and ship the book to me.

As I mulled this over in my thoughts, a wonderful idea came to mind.  God’s grace, His mercy, His love, and His provision are always at our disposal and they are always in stock, in ample quantities, available for immediate delivery.  Knowing Jesus Christ as our savior and lord gives us full access to God’s storehouse of blessings and ensures us that our prayers and petitions will be heard.

Philippians 4:19 underscores the vast and inexhaustible resources God places at our disposal through His son, Jesus Christ.  This verse reads, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Notice the confidence of the Apostle Paul in this verse.  First, He is confident that any need he has will be adequately supplied by God.  It doesn't matter how large or how small the need, God will supply it.

Second, Paul categorically states that God will meet all our needs, not just a selective few.  If we need shelter, He provides it.  If we need companionship, He is there. If we need reassurance and strength during times of difficulty, God assures us and encourages us.  God has promised to supply all our needs and He provides them through the glorious riches found in Christ Jesus.

These riches are always available and exist in ample supply in God’s warehouse of blessings.  God never puts our needs on back-order and He never informs us that His grace, His mercy, nor His provisions are temporarily out of stock.  God’s riches in Jesus Christ are inexhaustible and He invites us to bring our requests boldly before His throne so He can bless us with every good blessing.

As you face the day ahead, you can take great encouragement from the knowledge that God can and will supply all your needs today.  He is ready, He is willing, and He is able to meet all your needs.  His grace, His mercy, His love, His blessings, and His provision for you are always in stock, always available, and always at your disposal if you know Jesus Christ as your lord and savior.  When was the last time you received a shipment from God’s storehouse? Don’t you think it’s time you placed an order?   

This Morning's Breakfast

 Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Thursday, January 29, 2015

Today's Title: Access Granted

Today's Scripture: Hebrews 11:25

There are so many things that are good about Saturday morning.  I don’t have to set my alarm clock, my calendar doesn't have appointments every fifteen minutes, and I can pretty much do as I please, a distinct change from the five preceding days of the week.

One of these little luxuries is a full breakfast; I mean bacon, eggs, coffee, grits, toast, the whole nine yards.  As the sun sleepily rises and the aroma of coffee winds its way through the house, I prepare the bacon, eggs, and toast, eagerly awaiting the moment when all the elements come together for a culinary masterpiece.  Ok, so I’m not a gourmet chef, but I get by.

Once everything is ready, I sit down at my table, turn on some soft music, and begin to enjoy the fruits of my labor.  After breakfast, and after the kitchen is cleaned, I start my day.  Throughout the morning as I come and go, I notice the lingering aroma of bacon that has permeated everything in the house.  Now the smell of bacon at 6:00 a.m. is distinctly different from its aroma at, let’s say, 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon.  It just seems to lose its appeal after seven hours and becomes more of a nuisance rather than a real pleasure.

This idea was not lost on the writer of Hebrews.  In fact, he fully understood that sin in one’s life is exactly like the aroma of my breakfast that lingers long after the initial enjoyment is gone. In Hebrews 11:25 we read, “He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.”

This passage is taken from Hebrews 11, a chapter better known as the Hall of Fame of faith.  Numerous people from both the Old and New Testaments are listed here as examples of the kind of faith that pleases God.  In this particular passage, the writer speaks of Moses who led Israel out of four hundred years of bondage to the land promised to Abraham.

There are two quick thoughts tucked neatly away in this passage.  First, notice that the writer describes sin as pleasurable.  This is an accurate description.  No one would be tempted to do something that wasn’t pleasurable to them and yielding to that pleasure, in whatever form, constitutes sin.  But the author doesn’t end there.  Notice he states that these pleasures last only for a “short time.”  Just like my breakfast, the meal is short but the aroma hangs around, serving as a reminder to me and a signal to others of what I had for breakfast.

Left unchecked, sin permeates everything, invading the very fabric of our lives until the aroma we produce is unpleasant to ourselves, to others, and especially go God.  The blood of Jesus Christ serves to remove and totally eradicate the odor and stain of sin in our lives.  What does the aroma of your life say about you today?  Is it attracting or repelling those around you?  What did you have for breakfast this morning?  

A Matter of Perspective

 Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2015

Today's Title: Access Granted

Today's Scripture: Acts 18:1-4

Is the glass half-full or half empty?  That is the proverbial test of whether someone is optimistic or pessimistic in his outlook on life.  Seems simple, doesn't it, that we could make a judgment call based on how someone responds to this simple question.  Yet, there is a great lesson in this exercise for us today. The truth is that the glass contains a certain amount of water.  Our perception of that amount does not change the level of the water but it does affect the manner in which we approach the glass.

While reflecting on this, I began to realize my understanding of God’s working in my life is also based on perspective.  The truth is that God is always working, using every situation in life to mold and shape me into the image of His son, Jesus Christ.  My belief or disbelief does not change this fact but my understanding of this truth can lead me to be excited or troubled over the circumstances of life.  For example, what I perceive to be a roadblock may in fact be God’s protection, preventing me from barreling ahead into something for which I am not spiritually prepared.  Moreover, I may also miss opportunities to minister or serve because my perspective on God’s plan for my life may not be in tune with His point of view. 

For example, I am convinced that God has called me into bi-vocational ministry, holding a regular job and working in a church setting at the same time.  And therein can lay the confusion on my part.  Am I a French teacher who just happens to be a minister or am I a minister who just happens to be a French teacher?  It’s the half-full, half-empty question all over again isn't it?  Yet my perspective and understanding of God’s call on my life determines my attitude towards ministry but does not change the call itself.

This morning I found great encouragement and insight in a small passage from the book of Acts concerning the Apostle Paul and his call to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Acts18:1-4 reads, “After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.”

The real key to this passage is to be found in the description of Paul’s ministry.  He was called to share the gospel with Jews and Greeks and he shared the truth of Jesus in the synagogue on a regular basis. Yet Paul also made tents, like Priscilla and Aquila.  So the question to be resolved concerning Paul is was he a tentmaker who happened to be an apostle, or was he an apostle who happened to be a tentmaker?  I believe all of us would agree that the latter of these two scenarios provides an accurate description of Paul’s calling.

“And what about me?” you might ask.  What application am I to glean from this passage in Acts?  Much, I believe, that will determine how you approach your daily call to share the gospel at all times.

There was only one Apostle Paul and none of us has been called to the work to which he was called nor to the responsibilities he had.  However, God has called us to be His witnesses and to share the good news about Jesus as we go about our daily lives.  Jesus, himself, said we were to take this message to everyone we meet as we live from day to day.  But our perspective and understanding of this commandment will greatly affect the way we view God’s call on our lives. 

What is your perspective on the Christian life?  Are you a Christian in addition to what you do or is what you do in addition to your being a Christian?  It’s a matter of perspective, a perspective which will change everything about how you live for the Lord from now on!

Access Granted

 Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Today's Title: Access Granted

Today's Scripture: Romans 5:1-2

Access granted!  It sounds like a good beginning for a James Bond movie or the latest spy-detective novel, doesn't it?  I mean there’s something kind of mysterious and just a bit devious about having access to information no one else has.  But rest assured, nothing like that has happened. I've not been entrusted with any secrets of national importance.  I do not know who will be in the Super Bowl, and the knowledge of the winners in the upcoming Grammy Awards has not been imparted to me.

So what is all the hullabaloo about?  Exactly what information am I privy to that would cause such an uproar and be cloaked in secrecy?  Nothing really!  My job at the university has taken a slightly different tact than before.  I continue to be in the classroom but now I am also working with students as they plan their courses of study.  Based on the classes they've taken and their chosen areas of concentration, I am helping our department by advising them on the next steps they should take towards graduation.

The notion of access was not lost on the Apostle Paul.  He spells out in no uncertain terms how the Christian has direct access to God’s grace.  Paul reminds us that this access comes through Jesus Christ and him alone.  In Romans 5:1-2 he pens these words, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

From this brief passage of scripture, Paul describes our relationship both before and after accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  He says that after accepting Jesus we 1) are justified, 2) have peace with God, and 3) have access to God’s grace.  None of these are possible without Christ.  Without him we are at odds with God because of our sin.  Without Jesus we have no peace and without him we cannot participate in nor be recipients of God’s grace.

But when we accept Jesus and ask him to come into our hearts and save us from sin, then we become justified by faith, we have peace with God, and we stand in God’s grace.  Jesus Christ grants us this access—and it is full access—to God!  When we accept his free gift of salvation, our status changes and we can tap all the wonderful resources of God because of our relationship with Jesus Christ.

This doesn't require a top-level security clearance and it you don’t have to work for any underground or clandestine organization.  To have this kind of relationship, all you must do is to admit you are a sinner—and we all are (Romans 3:23)—and ask Jesus to become the Lord of your life.  Have you been granted access today?

A Lasting Impression

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Monday, January 26, 2015

Today's Title: A Lasting Impression

Today's Scripture: Deuteronomy 17:18-20

708 East Main Street was my address growing up.  Everything that mattered happened here and some of the greatest lessons in my life I learned in our house or in our back yard.  Like all the other houses on Main Street, we had a driveway.  Our driveway was a little different than most others because it sloped, creating a nice hill from street level at the top to our garage at the bottom.  Many Saturday afternoons found my friends and me riding bikes, skateboards, or anything else we could find down that hill. 

Just outside and to the left of our garage was a drain.  This drain caught water cascading down the hill or off the garage and ferried it to a ditch which separated our back yard from our neighbors.  One day, I came out of the house to find my dad with a wheelbarrow, a shovel, and some concrete mix working on that drain.  The garage had been torn down and daddy decided to close up that drain with cement.  When I arrived, he was almost finished with the last shovel full.  He smoothed it out and then he invited my brother and me to put our hands into the wet cement and write our initials and our birth dates.  He explained that when the cement dried our hand prints, initials, and birth dates would leave a lasting impression in the cement so everyone would know exactly who had been there.

I remember thinking what a neat idea that was!  As I grew older, I paid less and less attention to that piece of cement but every time I saw it I remembered that day and the lesson I had learned.  Remembering the past is important especially when we learn from our experiences and use that knowledge to remind us of how we should act in the future.  This was something the Old Testament writers understood very well and it is a lesson God wanted Israel’s kings to remember for all time.

In Deuteronomy 17:18-20 we read “When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites.  It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.”

These requirements were written specifically for the king.  At this point Israel had no king but God knew the people and He knew that one day they would want a king to rule over them.  God wanted His words and commands to make a lasting impression on the king and the Lord also wanted the king to put these laws into practice on a daily basis.  The king was to take the law and make a copy for himself.  In essence, he was pressing this onto parchment and into his mind as an everlasting marker of what God commanded.  The king was to remember God’s law and was not to think of himself more highly than his people because both the king and his people were subject to the same law and the same God.

God wants to make a lasting impression in our lives.  He wants us to take His word with us everywhere we go and to apply it on a daily basis.  We have copies of His word all around us.  There are probably several copies of it in your home or perhaps you have a copy with you at your place of work.  It is this word that reminds us and teaches us about our Heavenly Father.  We are to read it and to share it with others thereby making a lasting impression in their lives as well.

When my mom and dad moved from Main Street, they took that piece of concrete with them.  They still have it, and although the years have worn it and it is now in a few pieces, those hand prints, initials, and birth dates are still visible.  Won’t you let God make a lasting impression in your life today?

Expect Delays

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Friday, January 23, 2015

Today's Title: Expect Delays

Today's Scripture: Genesis 40:23-41:1

The flashing sign on the side of the road offered me little hope.  Traffic had already been heavy due to road construction and now the sign promised that farther ahead, delays could be expected.  Now there is nothing more uplifting when you are in a hurry to get somewhere than being told that delays are not only likely, they are guaranteed.  Faced with this prospect, I determined to enjoy my drive and take the delays, and whatever else came along, in stride.

Not too far past the flashing panel, those wonderful little orange cones came into view and slowly but surely the right-hand lane grew narrower.  Finally, the lane disappeared completely and a three-lane Interstate highway was reduced to two lanes.  As you can imagine, this caused all types of “interesting challenges” as drivers waited until the last possible second to leave the right-hand lane and join those of us trying our best to keep our patience and maintain forward momentum.

If you’ve ever been in a similar situation, and I’ll just bet you have, you understand the frustration that comes with moving along at a snail’s pace down a major highway.  It wasn’t so much that I was frustrated with the drivers attempting to join the slow but steady flow of traffic; instead, I was aggravated with the whole idea of being delayed in the first place.  I was on a schedule and it didn’t include delays on the highway.  I was determined to be at a certain place at a certain time, but the delay in the traffic’s flow completely wrecked that idea.  The delay, however, didn’t prevent me from enjoying my ride; it just altered my arrival time.

It should come as no surprise that in the Christian walk there are slow-downs, detours, delays, and sometime complete halts.  The Scriptures are filled with example after example of times when things didn’t go exactly according to plan.  Time after time we see God halting the forward momentum of His people when they would rather have continued going.  But God’s perspective is so different from ours and He knows when delays and detours are necessary in order to teach us to rely on Him.

One man who knew all about delays was Joseph.  Betrayed and sold into slavery by his brothers, having committed no wrong against them, Joseph’s life in Egypt seemed to be one series of delays after another.  He became a slave in Potipher’s household and just when things seemed to be moving forward at a good pace, bam, there was a roadblock and a detour which landed him in prison.  While he was there, Joseph was place in charge of his fellow prisoners and just when he thought he saw a way out, he was forced to sit through a delay.

This delay is found in Genesis 40:23-41:1, “The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him…When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile…” While in prison Joseph successfully interpreted the cupbearer’s dream and requested that when he regained his position that he use his influence with Pharaoh to free Joseph.  As the Scriptures tell us, however, the cupbearer forgot Joseph and he experienced a two-year delay.

But at the end of those two years, Pharaoh had a dream and the cupbearer remembered Joseph.  What seemed like another rejection, another bump in the road, was in fact God’s divine intervention.  He had not forgotten Joseph and the Lord had not caused this delay in order to be cruel or overbearing.  Instead, Joseph had a place of service in the prison that prepared him for service to Pharaoh and to all of Egypt.  When the two-year delay was over, Joseph was raised to second in command over all Egypt and was placed in charge of the entire country.  When the delay was over, was no longer on a two-lane road but on a major highway!

Today you may be experiencing a delay in your walk with God.  It may seem He has forgotten you, that you have been sitting still for the longest time and you wonder if you will ever make any forward progress again.  At times such as these, the temptation is to shut down, withdraw from God and from others, and become easily frustrated.  What you may not realize is that God is way up the road, smoothing out rough places, laying new pavement, or putting in more lanes so that your walk with Him will be better than it has before.  These times are also the times God chooses to test your faith and your reliance on Him.  He knows where you are at all times and will never abandon you.  That day on the road the sign read “Expect Delays!” It did not say “Turn off your car and get out!”

              

Equal Installments

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Thursday, January 22, 2015

Today's Title: Equal Installments!

Today's Scripture: Luke 9:23

The year was 1987.  I had just returned from France and had started teaching in a local high school.  For the first time since college, I had a steady job and a steady paycheck.  That’s when it arrived.  I came home one afternoon to find a small package, wrapped in a small white envelope, addressed solely to me.  I checked the return mailing address and, although I recognized the name, I wasn't sure why I was receiving mail from this location.  As soon as I opened the envelope, however, I became painfully aware of the sender’s intent.

Inside were a letter and a booklet of coupons with my name and address printed on each one.  The letter informed me that the payment book for my college loan had arrived and that the fist payment was due!  Furthermore, the letter instructed me to flip through the payment booklet to verify that my personal information was correct.  I quickly flipped through the coupons and, as luck would have it, all the information was correct.  That meant I could start making payments right away.  The lending company had even done the math for me, dividing my entire loan into 120 equal installments!  That’s 10 years for you math whizzes!!!

I stared at that payment book for what seemed like the longest time.  How in the world was I going to pay that back?  For the next 10 years of my life, a certain chunk of my paycheck belonged to a company hundreds of miles away.  After the shock wore off and reality set in, I shrugged my shoulders, took out my pen, wrote the check, sealed it and the payment coupon in an envelope, and sent them on their way.  For the next several years, I did the same thing, finally paying off the loan with help from my parents.

I’m sure that many of you reading this Tidbit can identify with the story above.  All of us, it seems, are making payments for one thing or another in our lives.  We are either purchasing a house, a car, or furniture, and we are making payments on a monthly basis.  Our payments are divided into equal installments and we make them an integral part of our budgets, making sure our money is used wisely so we can meet all our obligations.

Do you realize that God also works on the installment plan?  That’s right!  Now, I’m not saying that God is a mortgage broker or a lending institution.  He isn't!  However, the principle of making equal payments does apply to our spiritual lives.  Jesus addressed this in a conversation with his disciples concerning the cost of becoming one of his followers.  Luke 9:23 records Jesus’ words concerning the cost of discipleship. "Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Look very carefully at the fourth word from the end of Jesus’ statement.  Did you see it?  Did you take a good hard look at the word daily?  Yes, you read correctly.  He said daily! These are the terms Jesus set forth as a requirement for following him.  However, unlike a bank or savings and loan, Jesus doesn't want us to communicate with him monthly.  Instead, he wants us to relate to him on a daily basis.  He doesn't want just a part of our lives, he wants the whole thing!

Some people, even believers, think this is a high price to pay.  However, when it comes to buying a house or a car, they are willing to sign a contract obligating them for several years, or a lifetime, in order to buy something. Making payments becomes a way of life for them, and they diligently and faithfully meet this obligation.  If we will adjust our lives to purchase something that is not permanent, doesn't it make sense that we would also arrange our lives in order to gain that which is eternal?  God is not selling us anything.  Instead, He is offering us eternal life and, more importantly, a loving and daily relationship with Him.

So we must ask ourselves some hard questions.  How much of our lives is God getting?  As we spend our lives, do we remember to make our daily payment to God?  Do we spend time with Him by reading His word and praying?  Are we budgeting our time and resources in accordance with His will and commandments?  Are we willing to give God the payment due Him, namely, ourselves and to do this on a daily basis?  Are we living our lives on the daily installment plan, seeking God’s will and obeying Him?  Think about it, won’t you?  Have you made your payment today?

Just Keep Looking

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Today's Title: Just Keep Looking

Today's Scripture:  Hebrews 11:6

Dear Tidbitters,

“I know it’s here somewhere, it’s has to be!”  These were the words I kept repeating over and over to myself one Saturday morning as I sat in the barbershop waiting for my turn on the chopping block.  I was thumbing through a children’s magazine and became enthralled with a section containing an artist’s drawing of a particular scene.  What made the drawing so fascinating was that cleverly drawn into the picture were approximately a dozen items that were hidden.  The opposite page listed the hidden items and included a picture of each one so the reader would know what to look for.

I had successfully located eleven of the twelve items but the last one was eluding me.  I honestly could not find it, no matter where I looked and no matter the angle at which I held the magazine.  Each time I thought I had located the missing picture, it turned out to be part of the background.  My imagination, as well as my eyes, played tricks on me, leading me to believe there was something where there wasn't and nothing where something definitely was.

The time was rapidly approaching for me to have my haircut but I didn't want to leave that picture.  I was determined that no kid’s magazine was going to get the best of me.  I doubled my efforts and began searching more diligently, looking over every inch of that magazine, turning it every way but loose.  Finally, just before utter frustration set in, I found the image.  I had looked at that very spot several times, I just hadn't noticed the special way the artist had placed the image in the picture.  With a great sense of satisfaction, I closed the magazine, went to the back of the shop, and received a nice haircut.

We are all familiar with this process, aren't we?  We lose our keys, we lay aside our ink pen, we put down a book for just a minute, and then it’s gone.  We know it’s there somewhere; we just have to find it.  We become very determined, tearing up every part of the house or car until we find it.  Usually, it’s right there under our noses, we just didn't see it because we weren't looking for it!

We can also apply this situation to our daily walk with God.  The writer of Hebrews addresses this idea of searching for God in chapter 11.  This chapter is famous because it speaks about the role of faith in the Christian life.  The opening of the chapter contains a list of some the great heroes of our faith.  But not very far into the chapter, we find a profound statement, one that hits us right between the eyes and causes us to stop and consider its truth.

In Hebrews 11:6 we read the following statement, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  Read that once again, very carefully.  We often quote the first part of the passage to the exclusion of the second part.  We all know that we must have faith in God in order to have a relationship with Him.  We must believe in His existence to claim to be His children.  But look at what the last part of the verse says.  In order to receive anything from God, we must diligently seek Him!!!

Don’t take that word, diligently, too lightly.  Remember your search for your lost keys or my search for that hidden picture.  I was determined not to relinquish my death-grip on that magazine until I found that last image.  This is exactly what the writer means here!  We are to seek after God with full vigor, determined to find Him no matter the cost, no matter how long it takes, and no matter from what angle we have to approach Him.  God promises us He will be found but only if we search for Him—diligently!

Far too often we pay lip service to God.  We believe in Him and affirm this to our friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family.  But when was the last time we wrestled in prayer, seeking His face?  When was the last time we poured over the Scriptures looking for more of our Heavenly Father?  He is there among the words.  His truth is embedded in the pages of our Bible.  He is waiting for us to open it and to diligently seek His face in everything and at all times. Are you earnestly, diligently, consistently seeking Him today? 

How Do You Spend Your Day?

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Today's Title: How Do You Spend Your Day?

Today's Scripture: Psalm 90:12 

One of the most important lessons I have learned since moving to Texas is how to manage my money and live on a budget.  I had always heard others talking about having or not having enough money in their budgets to do a certain project or buy something for themselves or someone else.  The concept, however, was simply lost on me.  I figured as long as I had money in the checking account, I was doing OK.  The only problem was, at the end of the month, I could never figure out where I had spent my money.  However, a quick perusal over my check register revealed that money had gone out for movies, restaurants, things I wanted, etc. but precious little, if any, had gone into savings or even to buy clothes.

However, this all changed when I started seminary.  It became very apparent very quickly that I needed to apportion my earnings in a very precise manner in order to steward my resources wisely.  This is a lesson I have never regretted and I am now thankful that God continues to show His faithfulness to me on a daily basis.  Each time I reconcile my banking statement, I am always amazed and humbled at how God has proved Himself over and over by keeping me right on track with my money.  The money belongs to God, my responsibility is to steward it wisely and faithfully.

But there is another area in my life that I am finding very difficult to steward.  It is an area we all struggle with and an area in which we always seem to run a deficit.  That area is time.  No matter how early I get up, no matter how good my intentions, and no matter how much I rearrange my schedule, there never seems to be enough hours in the day.  If I go to bed earlier than normal, the next day finds me worn out before all my tasks are completed.  If I make more room in my schedule in the morning, something always crops up in the afternoon to rob me of the time I've saved.

Isn't it amazing that we will spend such a long time poring over our finances, making sure we spend just the right amount in just the right place, but we will completely ignore our daily schedules?  We always seem to spend our time poorly, neglecting to give God His time, failing to spend time with our families, forgetting to tell others we love and appreciate them, and pushing ourselves to the limit on a consistent basis.

The prayer of Moses in Psalm 90 addresses just this issue.  Israel wondered in the desert for forty years.  They could have been in the Promised Land in a matter of weeks but due to their disobedience and stubbornness, they spent their time poorly and what a price they paid!  All those twenty years of age and older never saw the Promised Land.  They all died in the desert and their children entered in their place.  How tragic!  They forfeited all those years of happiness and all those years of blessing because they disobeyed God.

Listen to the words of Moses from Psalm 90:12, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  There are two important points in this short passage of scripture.  First, Moses looks to God for instruction on how to account for his time.  Moses realizes that left to ourselves, we are poor stewards of the lives and resources God gives us.  Only with His guidance, only with His wisdom, and only with His grace can we ever hope to spend our time and our lives wisely.  Second, the purpose of following God’s instruction and learning from Him is to gain a heart full of wisdom.  We can only do this when we make God a priority in our lives.  We must spend time with Him.  We must make our relationship with Him top priority and learn to apportion our time in order be in His presence.  If we fail to do this, we will wander through life, wondering what happened to all of our time.

So, how do you spend your day?  Does the budget of your time show you are spending it wisely or are you running a deficit? Think about it!

Recharge Your Batteries

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Monday, January 19, 2015

Today's Title: Recharge Your Batteries

Today's Scripture: Mark 6:31

Batteries!  The world runs on batteries!  If you don’t believe me, just look at the watch on your wrist, the radio on your desk, the smoke detector on the wall, the cell phone in your purse or pocket, and your car in the parking lot!  They all have one thing in common—they require batteries to function.  No matter how sophisticated we become, no matter how powerful new sources of energy prove to be, it seems we find ourselves increasingly dependent on the lowly battery.  What would we do without these little guys?

When I was growing up, I remember finding batteries all over the house. We stored them in drawers and there were several under my bed as well as in my closet.  The problem, however, was that when I needed a battery, the ones I found were no longer useful.  They had lost their charge through proper use, overuse, or no use.  Whenever I needed a battery for a new gadget, a new toy, or for something more useful, I usually had to go out and purchase new batteries, or better yet, tell mom I needed them. This usually meant a trip to the store, a wait in line, and being stopped by every traffic light between our house and the nearest convenience store.

But all that changed when my dad bought a battery charger with rechargeable batteries.  I remember him bringing the charger into our kitchen, plugging it in, and filling it with these special batteries.  The instructions were very clear.  The batteries had to be left alone for several hours while electricity traveled through the terminals to be stored inside.  I was fascinated by this process and walked by several times to see if the batteries were “done.” 

During this time of recharging, the batteries didn't look as if anything was happening to them.  They simply lay there in their charger, soaking up the power being poured into them.  Finally, after several hours, the indicator panel informed me that the batteries were fully charged. I took them out and put them into one of my toys and, presto! The energy stored in them provided the necessary power the toy needed in order to work properly.  The hours of waiting during the recharging process paid off.

Jesus knew the importance and the necessity for recharging his disciples.  Long before the advent of the battery, long before the discovery of electricity, and long before the invention of portable electric devices, Jesus taught his disciples the need for rest.  He knew there must be time of inactivity and a time of drawing from God, and a time of renewing their strength.  Without this time, Jesus knew that burnout and ineffectiveness were inevitable.

On several occasions the Scriptures tell us that Jesus withdrew by himself to spend time in prayer, talking to God.  Jesus knew that in order to minister and demonstrate God’s love, he would have to spend time in God’s presence, recharging his mind and spirit for the work ahead.  Likewise, the disciples also needed times of spiritual renewal and refreshment and Jesus made sure they received them.

In Mark 6:31, Jesus tells his disciples, “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." This takes place just before the feeding of the five thousand.  The disciples had been following Jesus and working with the press of people all around them.  They hadn't even had time to eat and they were physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted.  Ever been there?  So Jesus took them to a quiet place to rest, to relax, and to refresh their souls and their bodies.

So many times in our day-to-day-struggle on life’s road, we find ourselves completely worn out.  We are so tired and irritable that the witness we give for Christ seems to do more harm than good.  We don’t feel like being Christians, we don’t feel like praying, and quiet time is completely out of the question.  God fully understands these moments in our lives. He doesn't get angry with us, He doesn't figure out ways to make our lives more unbearable, and He doesn't get offended when we are like this.  Instead, He makes a place for us, a place off the beaten path where we can rest, sleep, and recharge our batteries.  Psalm 23 provides a wonderful picture of this as God makes a place in green pastures and beside still waters for the purpose of restoring our souls.

Today, you may be completely on the edge and at your wits’ end.  If this is so, take heart.  It may be that you will soon hear the voice of God calling you to rest.  When you hear that call, obey it.  Rest has its purpose and its place in the Christian walk.  It is the time when God does some of His best and most important work on us because that is the time we are still.  Is it time for you to recharge your batteries today?

Go Back The Way You Came

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Friday, January 16, 2015

Today's Title: Go Back The Way You Came

Today's Scripture: 1 Kings 19:15-18

Today we take a look at a brief moment in the life of Elijah.  We find him in a cave hiding, fearing for his life because Jezebel has threatened to kill him.  While in this cave, God speaks to Elijah and teaches him a great truth.  God is always near and is always aware of Elijah’s circumstances.  When God speaks, it is often in the tones of a gentle whisper instead of mighty, supernatural acts.  It is always God’s still small voice that strengthens, reassures, and encourages all those who follow him.

After his experience in the mouth of the cave, Elijah receives new instructions from God. These instructions were difficult words for Elijah to hear and, I am sure, caused some concern on his part.  1 Kings 19:15-18 records God’s plans for Elijah as he prepared to leave the cave: “The LORD said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu.  Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel-all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him."

Look at the very first sentence of this passage.  Can’t you just imagine that Elijah’s mouth dropped open!  Had he heard the Lord correctly?  Perhaps, he was mistaken.  It seemed that the Lord had just told him to go back and to go into the desert!  Surely, the Lord didn’t mean that! Back there, his life was in danger.  Back there, people wanted him dead.  Back there, he had no friends, no support, and no one he could count on.  But God’s words were clear, “You will go back there!”

Have you ever been in this situation?  You have just experienced a wonderful display of God’s power in your life and you are ready to move forward but God says, “Go back!”  Sometimes, that is the hardest thing to do.  God is asking us to retrace our steps, to walk over ground we have already covered and to buy the same piece of real estate twice.  This may mean staying on a job when you are ready to move forward, it may mean going back to a place where people reject you, or it may mean returning to a relationship which is painful.  Whatever the situation, God asks us to return to it, even though it may be a desert.

But there is also great hope in this passage.  Let’s not leave Elijah standing in the cave, his mouth opened, wondering what has happened to his world.  God continues by telling Elijah to anoint two new kings and a new prophet.  Although Elijah will return by the same road, he will not be the same man.  The message he carries and his life’s purpose have both changed.  God is at work and Elijah is now part of that plan.

You see, Elijah felt he was all alone, that he was the only one left to do battle for God.  Yet, the Lord tells him very plainly that Jehu and Hazael, whom Elijah will anoint as kings, and Elisha, who will succeed Elijah as prophet, and seven thousand others have not bowed the knee to the pagan God Baal.  Elijah is not alone and as he leaves the cave, everything has changed!  Notice that Elijah took the same way back but he did not go back the same way he came.  Think about that for a moment.  The road was the same; the man was not!!

Today you may be identifying with Elijah.  God has asked you to go back the way you came, back to the desert, back to a dry and lifeless place.  But God does not intend for you to go alone.  Although you walk a familiar path, your message and purpose are new and fresh.  God is at work ahead of you.  He knows where you are going and He knows the best way to get you there.  The road may be the same, the people around you may not change, and your present circumstances may seem dry and hopeless.  Rest assured and take courage my friend.  God never gives us an assignment, no matter how difficult or challenging, but that He gives us His own divine presence for comfort and His own strength for the journey.  Go back down that same road confident that God goes with you.  Sometimes the greatest blessings in life come when God tells us, “Go back the way you came!”