A Word of Warning

 

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t happens every Wednesday evening promptly at 6:00 p.m.  No matter where I am in the house, or even if I am not at home, the weather radio in my living room sounds and alarm followed by an explanation that the weather service is conducting its weekly test to make sure everything is in working order.  I have grown accustomed to the sound and sometimes, unless I am really listening for it, I miss the test altogether.

A few evenings ago, however, the alarm sounded on at least three occasions as severe thunderstorms passed through our area bringing with them much-needed rain but unwanted wind and hail.  Early in the morning, at approximately 2:00 a.m. the alarm sounded. It pierced the silence and set my nerves somewhat on edge.  A few of the surrounding counties were being warned of severe weather in the area.  My county was mentioned and the voice coming over the airwaves indicated that heavy rain and light hail would be in our area within the half hour.

As if on cue, thirty minutes later the wind grew stronger, the rain fell in torrents, and the clicking sound of ice pellets against my window indicated that hail had also joined the party. The alert instructed us to remain in our houses and if conditions worsened, to seek shelter in the center of the house away from windows.  The wind did not grow that strong and the entire storm passed by in just under forty-five minutes.

Here in Texas, the weather is very uncertain.  It can be gorgeous one minute and life-threatening the next, you‘re just never sure what the next fifteen minutes will hold weather wise.  That’s why I invested in a weather radio so I could be aware of any potential weather threats and could take appropriate action in order to remain safe and sound.

The prophet Ezekiel knew about sounding the alarm in order to alert people to God’s will and commands.  He understood that God had called him to serve as a watchman and to make sure the Children of Israel understood the dangers that surrounded them and the need to heed God’s warning.

In Ezekiel 3:17 we read God’s conversation with Ezekiel, “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.”  Ezekiel’s role was clear.  He was to serve as God’s spokesman, to make sure the people of his day understood God’s directives and commands and to communicate them so the people could live in obedience with God’s commands.

So, what does this have to do with us today?  Actually, it has a lot to do with us?  As Christians, we are to set an example for those around us.  We are to share the good news of Jesus Christ on a daily basis, not only by what we say but also by what we do.  People looked to Ezekiel, to the watchman, for God’s direction.  And today, people look at us to see if we are consistently following God and serving as an example for him.  Are you serving as a good watchman on the wall of life today?

But I Can't See Where I Am Going

 

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t is one thing to know what the Scriptures say; it is another to see them lived out in the lives of people around us.  One particular afternoon brought one of those rare occasions when the meaning of the Bible was brought into sharp focus.

I exited the building in the late afternoon as I do every time I leave the university.  Our building is about a ten-minute walk from the parking lot and there is always a sea of people scurrying around campus on their way to class, from class, headed for the library, or going to the ever-popular students’ center with its cafes, recreational rooms, and TV lounges.  That afternoon was a little unusual, however, on at least two fronts.  One, there didn’t seem to be that many people clogging up the sidewalks; and two I encountered a gentleman who taught me a great lesson even though we didn’t speak and he wasn’t aware I saw him.

This man was standing on the corner, looking at the traffic whizzing past him.  There are always cars on campus and this afternoon, despite the smaller number of walkers, was no different.  I really took no notice of this man standing guard over his corner until I walked closer to him.  It was then I noticed the large cane he held in his hands.  The man took no notice of my approach because he couldn’t—he was blind!

I crossed the street on my way to the car but couldn’t shake the image of the man with the cane.  He lives his entire life in darkness, never seeing the beauty of the sunrise, not knowing the trees change color during this time of the year, and being unable to see the smiling faces of people walking on campus.  Yet, there he stood on a corner waiting for traffic to die down so he could cross the street and continue on his way.

Every step he takes is a step of faith.  His faith rests in his senses, in his cane, and in the knowledge that as long as he has those two things, he can and will continue to move forward in life.  Not a bad lesson in faith is it?  We Christians talk about faith a lot but when it comes right down to it, we want to see where it is we are going.  We want God to draw us a map for the road ahead and to label carefully and clearly where all the pitfalls, hardships, potholes, and rough places will be.  As long as we can see what’s coming we have no problem talking about how we walk by faith. 

But the type of walk with the map I’ve just described is a walk by sight not by faith.  In 2 Corinthians 5:7, Paul has this to say about our walk with the Lord, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”  Small verse, big message!  In these eight words, Paul makes it clear that nothing about our walk with the Lord involves a detailed map. In fact, Paul never mentions “seeing” anything at all.  He understands that as long as we “see” what lies ahead, we put faith in our own abilities and that always leads to trouble.

The cold hard fact of the matter is that we don’t have an option when it comes to walking with God.  We either believe and trust that God is who he says he is and that he in fact will do what he says he will do or we don’t believe that—it’s that simple!  The man on the corner crossed the street, trusting in his cane and his heightened sense of hearing to safely land him on the other side.  The cane was his contact with his surroundings and his ears alerted him to the dangers and pitfalls around him.

As God’s children we need to hold on to him with all our might. He and he alone is our contact through life.  By holding on to him we have the assurance that no pitfalls, no challenges, no unforeseen circumstances, (and they are all unforeseen folks) will prevent us from living the life God has called us to.  Our spiritual ears must remain attuned to his voice, knowing he will alert us to the dangers around us and will call to us when we wander and stray from him.

What a lesson I learned that day. I found myself thinking about that man all afternoon, all evening, and when I woke the next morning, his image was still etched on my mind.  He would tell us today to keep moving, to put one foot in front of the other, not to be afraid but to step out.  As long as we maintain contact and listen the darkness is no threat and not obstacle.  Are you walking today even when you can’t see where you are going?  I hope you are!  It’s the only way to go!

New or Used?

 

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here is nothing like the feel and the smell of a new car.  Several years ago I bought my first new car since moving to Texas, not out of the desire to have a brand new vehicle but out of necessity!  The cost of the needed repairs for the old car exceeded its value so I decided to take the plunge and purchase something more reliable with a good warranty.  So one Saturday morning, I ventured forth, hit the road, and selected a new car.

The following Monday, I took delivery of my new vehicle.  I drove it out to my friend’s house where all afternoon everyone in the family took turns riding in it.  The air conditioner worked, the radio sounded great, and the inside of the car smelled wonderful.  That smell, by the way, disappears as soon as the first payment is made, just in case you’re wondering!

I now had to do something with my old car.  I decided not to trade it in but to sell it.  So the following Saturday, I climbed behind the wheel, shifted into gear, and headed for the used car dealership to sell my vehicle.  As soon as I got in, I noticed so many differences between the two vehicles, especially in the ride.  The old car didn’t drive like the new car.  Its gears were more difficult to maneuver, the ride was much rougher, the steering didn’t handle as well and the car took more time to respond than the newer one.

As I drove the twenty-five or so miles to the dealership, I had time to think about that older car.  For years I had been satisfied with it.  It provided transportation, it hauled my groceries, it took me places when I needed to go, and it was fun to drive.  However, it also cost me a lot of money just to keep it going.  The longer I thought about it, the more I wondered why I hadn’t replaced it sooner.  Given the choice between the two cars in my possession, I knew I would never be satisfied with the older car.  But it took the experience of a new car to teach me that lesson.  Hmmm, could there be a lesson for us to learn from this today?

The answer to that question is yes and we need look no further than the book of Numbers to find our answer.  The Children of Israel left Egypt and slavery behind.  They followed Moses into the desert and toward the land God promised to their forefather, Abraham.  There was nothing like the feel and the smell of freedom.  No longer were they under Pharaoh’s control.  There were no more whips, no more mud, no more bricks, no more burdens, no more humiliation, and no more forced labor.  They were freed from all of that by God’s mighty hand and they were going to a new life.

But several times during their travels, they looked back and longed for Egypt.  When things became difficult, when the road ahead took an unexpected turn, when they didn’t advance as quickly as they wanted, they longed for Egypt.  They spent more time longing for their old life in Egypt instead of enjoying the new life of freedom God provided.

We can see this in Numbers 14:4. “And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt."  Can you believe they would make such a choice?  Can you believe they would opt for slavery instead of freedom?  Can you believe they would consciously choose their former life over their new one?  Well, believe it!  They did and so do we every single day.

The new life God promised His children required them to leave their old life behind.  They had to venture forth and walk across unknown territory to a place they had never seen.  The terrain was different but the ride was so much better.  They had manna in the morning and quail in the evening. Their clothes didn’t wear out, and all their needs were met.  Yet they longed for Egypt and wanted to choose another leader and go back.  In essence they chose a used car over a new one, with all the problems, costs, and insecurity that came with it.

Funny how we do the same thing.  We are afraid to step out and enjoy the new life God has given us in Jesus Christ.  Our old life always costs us and the costs always exceed the value.  A life without Jesus is worthless because it ends in destruction.  Moreover, there is no joy, no peace, no intimacy with God, and absolutely no freedom.  Why would we choose to cling to such an existence when God offers us something so much better?  Why do we, like the Children of Israel, insist on clinging to our former way of life when God, in Christ, offers us something so much better? 

What kind of life are you living today, used or new?  Believe me, there is no comparison between the two!  

Calling Home

 

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ne Saturday morning around 6:30 a.m. Texas time, I picked up my cell phone and dialed my parents’ number.  My mom answered the phone on the second ring she wanted to know if everything was all right with me.  You see, it had at least two days since we’d spoken and when that happens it usually means I’m too busy.  Not to be outdone, my dad picked up one of the extensions and chimed in with a cheery good morning. 

As I balanced the phone in one hand, I attempted to fry sausage patties with the other.  This proved to be much more difficult than I anticipated but the sausage survived with no burns or blemishes to speak of.  We continued to speak for a few minutes and after catching up on all the news, we said our goodbyes and I finished cooking breakfast.

As I lay the phone on the counter, I couldn’t help but thinking how fortunate I am to be able to speak with my parents on almost a daily basis.  I say almost, because sometimes I get too busy and the call just doesn’t get made!  Now, I don’t call because I have to and I don’t call because I can’t make my own decisions or live my own life.  I call because I want to and because I know that keeping in touch with home is always a good idea.  Always!

David knew the importance of calling on the Lord and he understood that we need to have constant and consistent contact with him.  Without this contact, we are left wandering in the dark and wondering what God is doing in our lives.  That’s why David penned the following words in Psalm 145:18: “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth”

Who better than David, a man after God’s own heart, to remind us of how near God is to those who love him, to those who have accepted his gift of salvation, and to those who know him as their Heavenly Father.  Two words stand out from this passage today.  The first word is near.  God is near to us, he is as close as our thoughts, as close as our pulse, and he watches over us and cares for us from second to second.  It was David who also wrote in Psalm 139 that there is nowhere we can go to escape God’s presence. Yes, God is very close.

The second word from this verse also happens to be the last one in the sentence.  Notice that David says we must call upon the Lord in truth, meaning with all sincerity, with all we are, from the depths of our hearts.  Only when we seek God in this manner, only when we worship him in spirit and in truth, only when we earnestly seek his face, will he answer us.  This does not mean God plays games with us; on the contrary, it means we must not play games with him.  We must be earnest and determined in our desire to call upon the Lord and we must realize that it is no small thing to call upon his name.  It is the most important thing we can do!

On that Saturday morning, my parents spoke to me because I am their son.  The relationship we share is special and cannot be erased or altered by time or distance.  The only thing that can change it is if I don’t pick up the phone and call home.  When I refuse to do that, our relationship suffers because there is no sharing between us.  Is it any different with the Lord?  I think not.  If it is important to maintain contact with our families, how much more important is it to maintain contact with our Heavenly Father?  How long has it been since you called home and talked with your Heavenly Father?  Don’t you think you should make that call today?

All You Can Eat

 

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very Tuesday morning, I would meet my best friend and we would go out to eat lunch.  Now, It goes without saying that a prerequisite for being in ministry is the ability to eat often and to eat a lot.  Since both of us wanted to be good ministers and good stewards of what God has given us, we took advantage of several all-you-can-eat buffets that are prevalent in Fort Worth.  We visited everything from Chinese buffets, to Japanese buffets, to soup and salad buffets.  In fact, if there was a buffet restaurant in town, chances are we visited it. 

The idea of an all-you-can-eat buffet seems strange to those visiting our country, but to Americans it's one of those basic rights guaranteed by the Constitution.  At least it seems that way when you watch the people who visit these establishments.  Hey, I'm pointing the finger at myself as well, because I definitely get my money's worth.  In fact, my ideal situation would be for the manager to ask me to leave his restaurant!!  This is one goal I have and perhaps one day I'll realize it.

My point today is that we spend an enormous amount of time feeding our bodies but precious little time feeding our souls.  We believe that if we spend thirty minutes praying with God, or if we read our Bibles for a set period of time, that we have sufficiently fed upon him and his word.  But it isn't long before we find ourselves hungry again.  Chinese food has this affect on me.  No matter how much I eat, my hunger returns within a few hours and I feel as if I've eaten nothing.

The sixth chapter of John's gospel relates a familiar story to us.  It's about the largest meal ever prepared and served by one person.  Yet the feeding of the five thousand has so much more to teach us than at first appears. Notice in verses 5-7 how impossible the situation looks.  The crowd is huge and Jesus asks Philip what he plans to feed the people.  Philip just drops his jaw and states the obvious "eight months wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite" (verse 7). From a human standpoint, the situation is impossible.  We are always in a position of weakness and inadequacy. God never assigns us tasks we can achieve in our own strength.  Instead, he makes sure the situation will require us to lean on him.

Verses 8-9 tell of the little boy with the five loaves and two fishes.  Again, the resources are inadequate to meet the demands of the situation.  But Andrew brings the little boy and his lunch to Jesus.  This is exactly what we must do.  Our resources are finite, God's resources are infinite.  What looks like nothing to us, in his hands is everything.  When we relinquish our hold on what we have and give it to Christ, He then takes our impotent efforts and works miracles with them.

Notice the words of verse 11b "...and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted." Talk about your all-you-can-eat buffet!  This is always the way God works.  He not only meets our needs, he surpasses them.  That day, from a paltry meal, barely large enough for a small boy, Jesus fed five thousand men, not including women and children.  But he didn't give them just a taste, he gave them as much as they wanted.  God always intends to meet our needs to the fullest extent.  The people eating that day had their fill.  If anyone went away hungry, it was their own fault. 

The spiritual application for us today is just as real.  Jesus spoke of himself as the bread of life, and stated that whoever ate of that bread would never hunger again.  When was the last time you let God feed you?  Were you willing to accept all he offered you to eat or did you settle for the bread crumbs?  God has prepared a buffet for us with all the trimmings.  He bids us come to his table and to eat all that we want.  He serves only the finest and choicest of foods that will nourish mind, body, and soul.  Prime rib is on the table as well as filet mignon.  Please don't ask or settle for a bologna sandwich!!

That First Step Is A Doozy

 

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here is an old Chinese proverb that reads, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”  I have often repeated these words to myself and I have often written them on a blackboard for my students to consider.  It is amazing to watch as the reality of this small statement becomes evident, especially for high school or college seniors who are standing on the threshold of a new stage of life.

But college seniors and high school graduates are not the only ones who experience the truth of this statement.  All of us, at some point in our lives, will face the truth of this old proverb. Many of us have already experienced it at least once and many more have faced it several times.  It happens when we must make a career change, or when we have to move away from familiar surroundings and set down roots in a strange place. For others, the journey comes with the loss of a loved one and they must face the road ahead without the presence of their one-time companion.

Whatever the circumstances, one thing is sure, the journey, when taken as a whole, is overwhelming and that first step is always a doozy!  In fact, the whole secret to the journey is contained in that first step. If we can find the courage to put our foot forward for that first step, we find that the rest are easier.  It is the first step that is the most difficult and it is at the first step that the enemies of doubt, fear, insecurity, and mistrust attack us the most strongly and the most effectively. 

The Bible is filled with examples of men and women who walked with God and who took great journeys with Him.  Who can forget Moses leading the people in the wilderness?  Who hasn’t read about Noah and the ark?  And the story of Paul’s missionary journeys fills the New Testament pages with the history of the spread of the Gospel.

But to get a feel for the importance of the first step, to really appreciate what it means to move forward into God’s hands, to actually experience walking with God when you don’t know where you are going, we need look no further than Chapter 12 of the book of Genesis. The first verse of this passage tells us all we need to know about a man called Abraham and the journey he took with God.  Genesis 12:1 reads, “The Lord had said to Abram “Leave your country, your people, and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.”

Notice that God’s words contain a command, “leave your country, your people, and your father’s household and go to the land” and a promise, “I will show you.”  The command part had to be the most difficult for Abram.  He knew God had called him, and he knew God would show him where to go, but taking that first step would be a difficult and heart-wrenching decision.  Not only was Abram stepping out into the unknown; he was also stepping away from the known, leaving his home, his family, his friends, his life, and his security behind him.  That first step was indeed a doozy but Abram exercised his faith and took it.

There is a great lesson here which God has been teaching me in recent days.  The life of faith is always one away from the camp of security and comfort.  Abram’s faith in God was secure but the circumstances of his life were not.  He lived in a tent, not a permanent dwelling.  He lived in a land in which both he and his neighbors referred to him as an alien and a foreigner.  But Abram learned the only way to please God and to receive His best was to walk continually in faith.

Wherever you are in your walk with God today my friend, my prayer is that you will not shy away from taking that first step.  It is a doozy in more ways than one.  That first step will separate you from the world but it will also separate you unto God.  It may take you a thousand miles away from home, but it will never take you where God is not.  The journey may have uphill struggles, rocky mountain slopes, and deep valleys, but it will also provide you with views and joys you could never experience at home in base camp.  My prayer for you today is that you will pack your bags and determine in your heart to take that first step of faith with God.  It will be a doozy, I grant you that, but it will be one that will change your life forever.  Are you ready to take that first step today?

The Caterpillar

 

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s a kid, I was fascinated by just about anything.  On summer evenings we used to chase and catch lightening bugs in our backyard.  We collected them in a jar and watched them glow.  It always amazed me that such a little bug could produce that much light.  With the other kids in the neighborhood, I collected worms, bugs, birds’ nests, and even small toads.  There was just something exciting about catching a creature and peering at it through a glass jar.

One of the most interesting animals I collected, however, was a caterpillar.  In fact, what I found was a cocoon and my dad explained to me that inside, a caterpillar was becoming a butterfly.  Well you can imagine how excited a little seven-year-old boy can become!  I couldn’t wait for the cocoon to spring open and for the butterfly to emerge.  I was convinced that in twenty-four hours max, a butterfly would emerge and I would have something new to observe.  Days went by and still no butterfly.  I almost lost all interest in the cocoon until early one morning.

I awoke and checked the jar for any signs of progress.  I noticed that the cocoon was moving back and forth and that a small slit had appeared in one side.  Long, slender legs had emerged as well as most of the butterfly’s body.  However, it was having a difficult time pulling its wings out of the cocoon.  I wanted to help it but my mom told me to leave it alone and to watch.  The poor thing fought, kicked, pushed, pulled, and shook violently, attempting to break free from its prison.  I felt so sorry for it and wished it could just shed the cocoon and fly.  But mom said to leave it alone and after a long while, the butter fly was free.  It was absolutely gorgeous and I took it outside and released it.

I have often thought about the process of becoming a butterfly and how it applies to our daily lives. All around us we see people involved in different types of struggle.  Some struggles are physical, some are emotional, some are mental, some affect our livelihoods, and others affect our relationships.   Everywhere we look, it seems there is some sort of struggle or challenge to face.  As Christians, we are sometimes at a loss to explain why God allows things to happen to us or to others.  Why do people get sick?  Why do people die at an early age?  Does God really care what happens to us?  Why does he allow disease, death, and impossible circumstances to enter our lives?

These are all good questions and ones that have no satisfactory answers.  However, I do believe God does offer some explanation in his word to comfort us in the difficult things of life.  In Isaiah 48:10 we find a wonderful nugget to enhance our understanding of the way God works in our daily lives.  The prophet writes, “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.”  

There are three important words here.  The first word is refined.  The purpose of our testing is our perfection.  God will remove anything that prevents us from being conformed to the image of Christ.  The second word is tested.  When we are tested, it is always for the purpose of growing our faith and teaching us to lean more heavily on God.  The more difficult the test, the more we need our Heavenly Father.  Remember, the test is passable.  God promised not to place on our shoulders more than we could bear so we know that God trusts us with it!!  The third word is in. Precious metals cannot be refined outside the furnace.  They must go inside and be subjected to the searing heat.  Caterpillars cannot become butterflies outside the cocoon.  They must go into the darkness and fight their way out in order to become one of nature’s most beautiful creatures.

And what about us?  We are far more precious to God than gold or silver.  We are more beautiful to him than any butterfly.  His goal for us “in the furnace of affliction” is to conform us to his image.  I do believe in God’s power to heal.  I know people who have received healing from God and the Scriptures teach that God heals “all our diseases” (Psalm 103).  But the body is temporary and the soul is eternal.  God is more interested in perfecting our souls than he is in perfecting our bodies.  If trials and tribulations, if disease and difficult circumstances provide the heat necessary to refine our souls, then God will turn up that heat.  He created the body to house our souls, but his first love and his main objective is the soul of man.

Whatever you are facing today, I pray you will take courage and strength from it.  God is near you and he understands your circumstances.  He is in the process of perfecting you, of refining you, of growing your faith.  Like the caterpillar in that jar, God knows that struggle is necessary. Without it, we would never develop into what we were meant to be.  God loves you today, from the inside out; but the inside is what it’s all about.  May God’s best be yours today!

Restored

 

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he table belonged to my grandmother.  As we made plans to complete the restoration on our house, grandmother was making plans for that old table.  Her father built it for his family and she had kept it all these years.

Although it had been in the family for three generations, the table was in very good shape.  It was well-built, solid, and it had no major blemishes or damage.  However, the table was in need of restoration. The old varnish needed to be removed and a new finish put in its place.  This was a job that grandmother wanted to participate in and supervise herself.

The first step in this long process involved removing years of old varnish in order to restore the wood to a lighter color suited to our dining room.  This first step took a long time and involved the most elbow grease.  Grandmother, along with my dad, used steel wool and harsh chemicals to dissolve and remove the old stain.  Every nook and cranny of the table received the same treatment until all the old covering had been removed.

Now the process of restoration could begin.  The wood was sanded, neutralized, and prepared to receive a new look.  Hours of work, lots of wiping, rubbing, sanding, and buffing transformed that table into a beautiful piece of furniture.  Along the way, there were stories about the table, jokes were told, and wonderful plans were made for its future.  Throughout the entire process, that table remained the center of attention until all the work was completed.  When finished, it became the center piece of our home.

God is in the restoration business.  He carefully, methodically, and constantly works with us, removing years of wear and tear in our lives.  He knows that underneath, down deep, we have infinite value.  God is also aware that we grow tired, frustrated, that we get banged up and scratched.  Instead of throwing us out, however, instead of assigning us to the trash dump, God lovingly undertakes the long process of restoring us so he can use us.

He strips away anything and everything that has discolored our lives.  This process may take a long time as God rubs, sands, buffs, and strips away layers of self-doubt, deceit, low self-esteem, fear, anxiety, and mistrust.  Lovingly, he stays at his task until the last remnants of these blemishes are completely wiped out of our lives.

Then he undertakes our restoration.  He applies ample layers of his love, grace, and mercy.  He stains us to conform to the exact image of his son, Jesus, so that we can be used in his service.  Along the way, there are stories of love, there is laughter, and great plans are made for our future.  God does all the work; we just have to be still.

The final and most important step was sealing the table’s surface.  After all that work, a coat of sealant protected the table from spills, nicks, and scratches.  God seals us as well with the Holy Spirit so that we will always look and be our best for him.  The sealant insures that all the work done before remains unchanged, perfect, and evident for all time.

Psalm 23:3a is a short statement but one of great importance.  It simply reads, “he restores my soul.”  This is one of the great things about our God.  His house is filled with restored furniture.  He alone sees the value when others don’t.  He knows that we need to be restored in order to serve his purposes.  God wants to restore us, to make our lives into centerpieces that reflect and testify to his glory.

Are you in the restoration process?  Just hang on because the finished product will be a wonder to behold!

Air Freshener

 

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he last time I was in the grocery store making my weekly purchases, I ended up on the aisle where the cleaning supplies were kept.  There were so many products to choose from.  There were different detergents for clothes, several brands of furniture polish, all kinds of bathroom and household cleaners, and air fresheners that could be placed throughout the house or used on the carpet with a vacuum cleaner.  I stood there for what seemed like hours just trying to take it all in.

What caught my eye and mesmerized me the most was the display of products for cleaning the air.  These came in solids, liquids, aerosol sprays, candles, and powders.  Sitting there on those few shelves seemed to be every scent known to man.  As I stood there looking at the array of products, my attention focused on the powders destined to be spread over carpet and vacuumed up with the dirt.  The vacuum cleaner sucked up the dirt and the powder but left a wonderful aroma behind. In a home, that pleasant odor serves as a reminder that the dirt has been removed and that everything in the house is clean. Isn’t it amazing what a small odor can tell you about a home and about the persons who live there?

The same is true in the life of the Christian.  We are constantly giving off a fragrance to those around us.  What does the fragrance of our lives communicate to others?  Does the aroma of our witness testify to the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood in our lives?  When people encounter us at work, in stores, or anywhere in between, can they tell that we’ve been with Jesus?

The Apostle Paul in his second letter to the believers in Corinth addressed just this issue.  In 2 Corinthians 2:15, he writes, “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”  Three quick truths glare out at us from this passage.  First, Paul states categorically and with out reserve that our lives are a constant aroma before God.  The aroma our lives are to put forth is that of Christ.  We can only have his aroma if we follow him and spend time in his presence.  Yes, only in his presence can we ever hope to obtain his aroma in order to share it with all those around us.

The second truth is that we share the aroma of Christ among our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  Who among us has not been in need and been encouraged and strengthened by a fellow believer?  Who among us has not given thanks to God that one of our brothers or sisters in Christ prayed for us or visited us in times of great need or distress? They shared with us the aroma of Christ and reminded us that our source of strength was in Christ alone.

The last truth is that we spread the aroma of Christ among those who are not saved.  People may receive the odor of our lives long before we have the opportunity to speak to them.  Through our actions and our attitudes we demonstrate our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  The way we lead our lives is, in and of itself, an aroma noticed by the world.  Paul is clear. We are to share the aroma of Christ with unbelievers, encouraging them by our actions and demonstrating the power and love of Christ in our daily lives.

So, are you giving off a pleasant aroma today?  When people meet you do they see evidence of Jesus in your life?  Do your actions and your attitudes provide an inviting odor to those who are seeking Christ?  Is your life a source of strength and encouragement to those serving Christ?  Paul reminds us that our lives must give off the aroma of Christ.  What does the aroma of your life say about your relationship with Jesus today?

Rub Some Dirt On It

 

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ub some dirt on it!”  This seems to be the answer for any ailment, scratch, bump, bruise, or problem that occurs in the sports world.  Whenever I am with my friends and someone nicks his finger, hits her toe, or gets a scratch, someone will inevitably say, “Rub some dirt on it!”  It makes me wonder if the boys and girls in our best medical labs know that dirt seems to contain some miracle properties that will cure almost anything.  Maybe we should all invest, not in pharmaceutical research, but in the thousands of acres of arid land that comprise west Texas!

But it gets better.  I’ve learned that dirt can also be used to alleviate the pain caused by insults, light ribbing, joking, and the like.  Don’t like a comment someone made to you? Rub some dirt on it!  Are your friends giving you a hard time about being late again to the office?  Rub some dirt on it!  Lost your keys for the hundredth time making you and your wife/husband late for a dinner party?  Heck, just rub some dirt on it and it’ll be ok.

I must confess, I don’t really understand what dirt has to do with any of this!  Believe me, if it were really the panacea all my friends tout it to be, I would take a mud bath instead of a shower each morning.  However, I’ve not noticed that dirt does any good for my ailments but hearing someone say, “Rub some dirt on it”, does make me laugh and it does bring levity and humor to the situation I’m in, making me feel somewhat better.

Now you may be wondering just what rubbing dirt on it (whatever it is) has to do with today’s devotional.  How could their possibly be a connection between plain old dirt and an eternal truth found in God’s word?  Well, let’s open our Bibles and look at a story from John’s gospel where Jesus found a man in need.  Guess what he did?  Yep!  He rubbed some dirt on it and the rest is history!

In chapter 9 of John’s gospel we read the story of how a man born blind was given his sight.  Jesus’ disciples asked what had caused the man’s blindness, his sin or the sin of his parents.  It’s always this way with us, isn’t it? We automatically look for someone to blame when something out of the ordinary happens or when a situation arises that is not “normal”. The people of Jesus’ day did the same thing.  Physical handicaps, disfigurements, and diseases were thought to be the result of sin but Jesus laid all those misconceptions aside when he stated that neither the man’s nor his parents’ sins caused the blindness. Instead, the man was blind so that God’s power and glory could be revealed in him.

Now for the really good part!  In John 9:6-7 we read how Jesus healed this man: “Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes.” Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.”

Pay very close attention to the order of events in this passage.  Jesus never asked the man if he wanted to be healed, he just healed him.  He spat on the ground, made mud, spread it on the man’s eyes, told him to go to the pool, and wash.  Everything this man did, he did through faith.  He had never seen Jesus, or anyone else for that matter.  For all he knew this could be a cruel joke, a means for others to extract pleasure from his blindness.  After Jesus rubbed some dirt on it, he told the man to go wash his face.  This was blind faith, literally.  The man could not see where he was going and Jesus never told him he would see after he washed his face!  Nevertheless, the man obeyed and came back seeing.

The eternal truth in this miracle is that God never does things in the way we think they should be done.  To heal blindness, we would never expect God to just “rub some dirt on it.” And that is why we miss so many of God’s blessings.  We want a production; God however gives a private performance.  We want a show; God gives a personal lesson.  At no time are we ever prepared for the manner in which God works.  His ways seem odd to us and sometimes make no sense to our minds.  And that is the point.  He is God; we are not!  He knows how to care for us, He knows our needs, and He will do things in His time and according to His will.  All we have to do is believe and obey.  Will you let God rub some dirt on you today?

Follow The Recipe

 

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ne evening, I invited a couple over for dinner.  It is so much fun now that I have a kitchen where I can cook and bake and make my own mess!  Being domestic is great and I am enjoying it very much!  At any rate, I was wondering what to prepare.  I have very few cookbooks and the recipes that I use frequently I have memorized.  So, naturally, when I needed an idea for something new I went to the best resource I know for recipes, mom!

I called her up and told her what I was planning to prepare. I wanted to know if she could send me a few recipes via email (I just love technology) and she happily agreed.  In just a few minutes, the recipes I asked for were sitting in my mailbox, ready for the making.  I perused the list of ingredients and re-familiarized myself with the procedures.  My first reaction with one of the recipes was one of doubt.  It appeared as if there were too much of a particular ingredient and not enough of another.  But that is what the recipe called for and mom always said, follow the recipe!

I made my list, went to the grocery store, bought all the required items, then came back home to begin assembling my meal.  I put all the groceries away, leaving out all the ingredients I would need to make my salad, my main dish, and my dessert.  I got the recipes from the computer and began making the meal ahead of time so it would be less stressful when it came time to set the table and entertain my guests.

I followed the recipes exactly.  Mixing where it said to mix, stirring where it said to stir, and cooking when it said to cook. I added the ingredients in the exact proportions the recipe called for.  Even when I felt that the measurements might not be quite right, I went against what I felt and followed the instructions.  The result was amazing!  Everything turned out just as it was supposed to and all the food tasted just right.  Now, it wasn’t as good as mom’s, but things never are.  However, her recipe gave me the correct measurements and the proper instructions for making all the things I needed for my meal.  I had to trust the recipe and its author despite my feelings or questions.

Would it surprise you to discover that God has given us the exact recipe for a happy and fulfilling life?  Would you be shocked to know that if you follow his recipe, you will find your life becomes a wonderful blessing to others and a source of praise and glory to God?  To the Christian, none of this should be new; yet, our lives and our relationships with God are not always what we want or what they should be.

In Deuteronomy 6:5, we have God’s recipe for living the kind of life he wants all his children to enjoy.  “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”  As with all recipes, the measurements of the ingredients are all important.  Too little of this or not enough of that leaves the dish incomplete and unsatisfying.  God’s ingredients are heart, soul, and strength.  But pay careful attention to their measurements. God does not ask for a pinch of heart or a dash of soul.  No!  He asks for all of it.  Essentially God says to us, “Empty the cupboard.  I want and require everything you’ve got.  Hold nothing back!  Do not skimp on the ingredients!”

When asked to give the greatest commandment, Jesus, himself, quoted this very scripture.  God’s recipe always calls for us to give our all.  Even when we don’t feel like it, even when we think that all our heart is too risky, even when we think all our strength is too much, and even when we think that all our soul is just too high a price.  Despite all these “feelings” of ours, God’s command rings clear:  “Follow the recipe!” 

How long has it been since you spent time with God in your kitchen?  How long has it been since you asked him to give you his recipe for living a life pleasing to him?  You have the ingredients but are you measuring them out correctly? Are you following the recipe?

The Stronghold of En Gedi

 

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t was a dry, arid wasteland with little protection from the elements.  During the day, the sun beat down on the land with a fury and at night the cold, frigid air of the desert wrapped everything in its mantle. There was very little water, practically no food, and caves were the only haven from the heat and the cold.

This was the wilderness of En Gedi where David hid from the relentless pursuit of Israel’s King Saul.  From the time of his victory over the Philistines’ towering champion, Goliath, Saul had been in pursuit of David, intent on taking his life.  Whenever he learned that David was in a certain location, Saul pursued him.  Finding and killing the son of Jesse had become an obsession with the king.

On two occasions, David had the opportunity to take Saul’s life. His men encouraged him to do so, believing God had delivered Saul into David’s hand.  Everything was to David’s advantage.  Saul was alone.  He did not know David was near.  The king was unarmed and would prove easy prey.  But David refused to act because Saul was God’s anointed, his chosen king over Israel.

While Saul was in a cave, David approached him and cut off a portion of his robe.  Saul was unaware that David had been that close to him.  He had no idea David could have killed him had he chosen to do so.  As he left to rejoin his men, Saul heard a familiar voice calling to him.  David’s voice was distinct and he recognized it immediately.  David asked the king why he wanted to take his life.  When he held up the piece of Saul’s garment as proof he could have killed him, Saul realized David had acted justly toward him.

Saul praised David for his righteous behavior and asked a favor of him.  Saul had David swear that he would not do away with his descendants when David became king over Israel.  David swore an oath to Saul he would remember his descendants and not wipe them out.  After David became king, he kept this promise to Saul’s grandson, Mephibosheth 2 Samuel 9.(click on the scripture reference to read about this)

In 1 Samuel 24:22, we have a very interesting passage of scripture. “So, David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.”  Take notice of the two directions taken by both men.  They couldn’t have been more opposite!  Saul went home but David returned to the stronghold of En Gedi.  Although he had made peace with Saul, David remained in the desert stronghold, staying there with his men, living in the desert and taking shelter and refuge in the caves.

Sometimes in the Christian walk, God places us in desert strongholds.  These places are removed from everything with which we are familiar.  In the stronghold, David had no comfortable surroundings. He did not sleep on a soft bed, he did not eat the finest cuisine, he did not drink the best wines, and he did not dress in the latest fashion.  The stronghold was not adorned with fine decorations and it had no central air conditioning or heat.  All it offered was sand, heat, cold, and safety.

You see, the stronghold was David’s haven.  It was here he learned to lead his men.  If he were going to lead a nation, he would first have to lead his men and what better place to learn how to lead than in an environment that demanded a leader.  In the desert stronghold, David was molded and fashioned into the great leader that would shepherd the flock of Israel.  In the En Gedi wilderness, he learned to depend on God and on him alone.  In the stronghold, he was safe, he was cared for, and he was under the constant surveillance of God himself.

Today, it may seem God has taken you away from your familiar surroundings.  He may be asking you to stay in the desert instead of returning to the comfort of home.  If this is your situation, take heart.  God never calls us to En Gedi unless he has great plans for us.  In the stronghold, he is able to mold and shape us according to his plan for our lives.  In the stronghold, we are totally dependent on him which is exactly the lesson he wants us to learn.  In the caves of En Gedi, God forged Israel’s greatest king and taught him to place his faith and trust solely in God.  When David emerged from the desert, he wasn’t the same man as when he entered.

 

The same is true for us.  If God has called you to the stronghold today, be patient and be encouraged.  He is in the process of conforming you to the image of his son.  In the stronghold, you will learn to lean on him, to trust him, and to cast every care you have on his shoulders.  Yes, in the stronghold is where God works, molding and shaping us until we are ready to be used for his purposes.  Won’t you enter the stronghold today?

For Sale By Owner

 

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 ride through town is always a good thing, especially when you’re not pushed for time.  Usually when I am visiting my family, I take my sister for a ride around some of my old stomping grounds.  We ride past the house where we grew up, we ride past several parks where my friends and I used to play and ride bikes, we visit neighborhoods that haven’t changed in forever, and we drive right through the middle of downtown. 

For me, it is a visit to an earlier time, a time of no worries and no cares.  As I drive through neighborhoods, as I pass parks and schools, pictures of old friends and the memories of good times spent together flood my mind. The sidewalks I took to school are still the same, the trees I used to pass as a boy are still in their places, the buildings on Main Street have the same facades, and life still moves at a pretty leisurely pace.

Changes, though, are evident in many sections of town.  New houses have been built and old ones have been torn down.  New developments and new businesses dot the landscape and new faces are rapidly replacing more familiar ones.  Several houses have signs posted in their front yards advertising they are for sale.  Some of the signs bear the names of prominent real estate agency but others simply say “For Sale by Owner.”  Everywhere it seems, things are in constant flux.

If you think about it, people live their lives in much the same way.  We are constantly on the move, changing jobs, changing relationships, changing scenery, changing, changing, changing.  We never seem to be satisfied with the way things are and we are constantly looking for that next move which we promise will be our last.  The problem is, we never really find what we are looking for, do we?  The areas of life we move into soon lose their appeal and allure and before long, we put up the sign, “For Sale by Owner” hoping someone will come along and buy us, getting us out of the situation we are in.

This idea of constantly moving and forever searching was very familiar to the Apostle Paul.  In his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul admonished his readers to remember who had purchased them and how their lives were to reflect that new ownership.  Paul writes the following to the Corinthian believers, “For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men” (1 Corinthians 7:22-23).

In this brief statement, Paul makes it clear the relationship the believers in Corinth, and we as believers today, should have.  He takes great care in underlining the fact that their former way of life is over. Those who were slaves are now free in Christ and those who were free are now slaves to Christ.  Paul, here is not speaking of the Christians life as one of indentured servant hood.  Christ sets us free from sin and from its slavish hold on us.  When we become believers in Christ, he becomes our lord, savior, and master.  Our lives are to reflect him as our new owner.  Christ can claim ownership because he paid a high price for our salvation.  That price was his own blood and life on Calvary.

What are you looking for today?  Is there a sign in your front yard advertising you are for sale?  Are you looking for a new neighborhood in which to live?  Do you believe that a new job, new friends, a new location, or a new relationship can improve your life?  Are you ready to accept any payment as long as your situation changes?  Stop and think for just a minute.  If you are already a believer in Christ, then you need to turn every situation over to him.  Don’t make a move unless God tells you to do so.  If you are not a believer, I invite you to accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior.  He will place you under new ownership and will supply all your needs.  He is all you need to make your life all it can be.  Trust him, accept him, and turn your life over to him.  It will be that last life-move you’ll ever need to make.